Educational Administration In Northern Ireland

EDM number 93 in 1996-97, proposed by Roy Beggs on 29/10/1996.

That this House deplores the decision by the Education Minister for Northern Ireland, the Right honourable Member for Devizes to reduce the number of education and library boards in Northern Ireland from five to three; believes that no convincing arguments have been put forward by the Department of Education for Northern Ireland for the proposed change which will be disruptive, expensive and more likely to result in increased administrative costs than to achieve savings; commends the efforts of education and library board officers in the progress made towards providing services where possible on a regional basis; requests that since the upheaval being proposed is geared primarily towards achieving estimated savings of ú2 million, chief officers and finance officers of the education and library boards be invited jointly to bring forward proposals for genuine savings by 31st March 1997 thereby retaining the established area boards which have served all sections of the community well in Northern Ireland since their establishment; and invites the Minister to publish the Policy Appraisal and Fair Treatment appraisal upon which his decision has been based.

This motion has been signed by a total of 37 MPs.