1st June 2023
Reacting to today’s announcement from the Permanent Secretary stating that the Department of Education are not proceeding with the proposed cuts to vital youth and early years as well as the full scale of cuts to the Extended Schools Programme, Siobhan McElhinney, Northern Committee Chairperson says:
“This change of heart is cautiously welcomed, and it is hoped that this is first of many reviews of the proposed cuts to essential services in schools.
Extended schools have provided many opportunities for students to engage in activities which has helped develop social and emotional wellbeing of the students as well as the academic needs of the young people within the North. Since the launch of the Extended Schools Programme in 2003, children from the many socio-economic backgrounds have benefitted from innovative projects to bring learning beyond the walls of the classroom. These projects have been such a support for our vulnerable young people since the returning to school after the periods of lockdown.
In recent years, the Extended Schools Programme has allowed schools to provide opportunities to students without incurring a financial impact on the families or on the school budget. The funding of education needs to be a priority for those in charge of the Department of Education. INTO calls on the absentee politicians to get back to the business of making the necessary decisions needed, so that our children and young people have the best possible life chances going forward.”