Headmaster in blast at ‘policy of cost -cutting’

Lexie Scott, head of Gracehill primary and a past President of the Ulster Teachers’ Union, said schools in the North Eastern Education Board area would lose £1m following proposed changes to the Department of Education’s funding policy.

He was speaking after a special meeting hosted by the Education Committee in Stormont recently to investigate how much money schools might get in future.

“The meeting was called to discuss the proposed changes to the Common Funding Formula for schools and it was gratifying to have our views listened to,” said Mr Scott.

“The proposals which the Minister of Education is proposing would see the majority of schools within the North Eastern Board lose money.

“The Education Committee were left in no doubt that everyone present at this meeting disagreed strongly with these proposals to enhance the educational opportunities of a few by removing money from the many.

“This is a unique situation where we see schools from every sector – controlled, maintained, primary and secondary united to which voice their very real concerns about the effects of these proposed changes.

“Schools in this Board’s area will lose over £1 million pounds in the Minister’s move to put some pupils first.”