NI schools to receive £10 million boost

Northern Ireland schools are to receive a £10 million boost in funding.

The money is part of an additional funding allocation made to Northern Ireland in the Chancellor’s Budget in March 2006, and will be given directly to schools as part of the Children and Young People Funding Package.

On average nursery schools will receive £1,700, primary schools will get £4,500, secondary schools will be given £24,700 and special schools will receive on average £4,000.

Schools will also receive a further £10 million next year.

Commenting on the allocations, Secretary of State Peter Hain MP said: “The Government's commitment to education is clear. Since 1997, education funding has increased by more than 60%, at a time when pupil numbers have been falling. Last year, funding for current expenditure reached a massive £1.6 billion and by 2007/08 will have increased by a further £130 million.

“Today’s announcement is further tangible evidence of the government’s commitment to education and the future of children and young people across Northern Ireland. This £10million will improve educational standards.

“The money is going directly to school heads because we trust them to know how it should be spent within their individual schools.”

Announcing the allocations during a visit to Holy Family Primary School in Belfast, Education Minister Maria Eagle said that every single pupil in Northern Ireland will benefit from this investment: "An average primary school will receive around £4,500 while an average post-primary can expect to receive around £24,700. The largest schools will receive up to £20,000 for a primary and £71,800 for a post-primary.

“There will be minimum amounts for schools, to ensure that individual schools receive a meaningful sum. Funding above the minima has been allocated under the Common Funding Formula, to reflect pupil numbers and individual schools’ circumstances.”

(EF/SP)