Debt-ridden schools need Bengoa-style review: MLA

A BENGOA-STYLE review of Northern Ireland’s education system is needed, an MLA has said.

Chris Lyttle (below) was speaking after it emerged that almost half of schools here are in debt.

Figures from the Education Authority show 446 schools out of 1,000 analysed for the current academic year are projected to be in the red. Some 352 of these have seen their deficits increase since 2017/18.

Mr Lyttle, the Alliance party’s education spokesperson, said the Bengoa Report, a Government-appointed panel led by Professor Rafael Bengoa, which made recommendations on how to make our health service fit for purpose, could provide the basis for a review of our education system.

“Alliance has been vocal for some time now for the need for a complete root and branch reform of the entire education system,” he said.

“We have been inundated with messages from parents, teachers and principals, all concerned about the growing pressures being put on our children’s education by factors including increasing financial strain on schools.

“While we have had numerous reports and recommendations into the education system, they have not been adequately implemented. Such a review outlining the need for reform and subsequent implementation is needed urgently if we are to halt the financial crisis in our schools.” The Education Authority has placed schools in Northern Ireland into categories depending on their budget situation.

There are 87 schools in the most serious category with a deficit of over 5% of their total yearly budget, the BBC reported. Some 130 schools have increasing deficits of more than 5% but are judged sustainable.

The EA previously said schools here are projected to overspend their budgets by around £33m in 2018/19 financial year.

An EA spokesperson said it recognised schools were facing “unprecedented pressures”.

“EA will continue to advocate for additional funding for schools and services to support schools, children and young people.” COMMUTERS in Co Down were faced with long delays yesterday after a lorry burst into flames on the A1 Dublin Road.

The blaze started yesterday afternoon at around 3pm south of Loughbrickland and near to the junction of the Drumsallagh Road and the A1.

Police advised drivers to avoid the area completely, closing the northbound lane while fire crews worked.

NIFRS group commander Alan O’Neill said they had received a call at 3.12pm regarding reports of a 40-foot lorry carrying bales of hay. Three fire crews attended. “Three firefighting jets were used, and with the assistance of a local farmer the bales of hay were taken off the lorry.

“We handed the scene over to the Roads Service at 6.20pm,” he said.

He said the cause of the blaze was still under investigation and he was not aware of any casualties.