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Toby Doherty, 26 Apr
The 'radical' cuts to education have been condemned by AontĂș Deputy
Leader Gemma Brolly as teachers and civil servants take part in
industrial action.
Mrs Brolly, says she is disappointed with the response she received
from the Department of Education after she inquired about the cuts to
programmes for vulnerable children.
Speaking today during the largest strike in the North in over 10 years
the INTO representative lamented the cuts to education.
âI am truly exasperated to have received a response from the permanent
secretary confirming radical cuts to the education budget. As a Special
Educational Needs Co-ordinator I know first-hand how this will impact
children up and down our communities,â Mrs Brolly said.
âThese education cuts will leave families chasing essential support,
especially for children battling anxiety, school avoidance and
emotional regulation issues.
âNot to mention the most recent cuts to 'Extended Schools' which target
the disadvantaged pupils in our society. These budget cuts are an
attack on the most vulnerable children in our community.â
Mrs Brolly said the North's education system is 'failing vulnerable
children'.
âSocial and emotional difficulties have sky-rocketed since COVID. The
fact that the education department is cutting programmes like âEngageâ
and âHealthy Happy Mindsâ is absolutely appalling.
âThe Stormont parties, and their political playground games, are
depriving vulnerable children of counselling, regulation activities and
mental health workshopsâ.
She said the recent talk from political leaders during the GFA
anniversary celebrations about the opportunities young people have is
being undermined by the cuts.
âOn the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, weâve heard many
political leaders talk about the opportunities that young people have.
In reality these cuts mean that the most disadvantaged children in our
community will have opportunities stripped away from them.
âAontĂș is completely opposed to these cuts. This is why I will rally on
Wednesday 26th April with my colleagues at Belfast City Hall for
Investment in Education, investment in the education and wellbeing of
our children.â
Todayâs strikes involve teachers and civil servants from eight unions
and are taking place following long-standing disputes over pay and
investment.
Solidarity on picket line in Draperstown. Colleagues stand shoulder
to shoulder at St Colm's HS. pic.twitter.com/rYb8VNJXsK
â INTO-NI (@INTO_NI) April 26, 2023
Unions on strike include: the PCS, Unite, INTO, UTU, GMB, NIPSA,
NASUWT, NAHT.
Speaking about today's strikes NIPSA General Secretary Carmel Gates
said the action has been 'forced' by 'the governmentâs decision to
implement sanctions in Northern Ireland'.
âThe sanctions imposed by the Secretary of State and Westminster are
designed to force Northern Ireland political parties to return to
Stormont. In effect, these sanctions only hurt ordinary people and will
cause permanent damage to public services,â she said.
"The pay award to our members of ÂŁ552 is insulting and derisory and
adds to the wage cut of more than 20% in 10 years. More than 60% of
civil servants now earn below the NI median wage.
"It is time for the trade union movement to say enough is enough. We
will build a mighty campaign for pay justice and for an end to cuts in
public services,â she added.