Cuts to education in Northern Ireland will have “catastrophic consequences” according to a new report published this week.
The ‘rapid response’ report was written in a four-week period between May and June 2023 by experts from Ulster University, Newcastle University, Queen’s University Belfast and Stranmillis University College and highlights in particular how the cuts will disproportionately impact the most disadvantaged children and young people.
The academics found that short-term savings will be dwarfed by the costs of poverty, deprivation, and mental health issues in the longer run and described that the picture painted by their findings is ‘unremittingly bleak’.
It also highlights the serious situation for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN).
Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick from UU said: “The cuts to education will undoubtedly increase poverty and hardship for many households in Northern Ireland, but particularly those with the lowest incomes – such as those children entitled to free school meals.
“These cuts are coming at a time when high inflation doggedly persists, with food prices rising at a startling rate.
“The loss of holiday hunger payments will cause significant harm to children and their families, and there will undoubtedly be children who will not receive the nutrition they need to thrive.
“The high costs of school uniforms will add further stress to finances that are stretched to the limit.
“Despite the 20 per cent increase in the uniform allowance last year, NI still lags provision in England, Scotland and Wales.”
Professor Noel Purdy of Stranmillis University College said: “This is a catastrophic situation for the provision of education in Northern Ireland.
“It is the most punitive budget that has ever been delivered to the Department of Education, at a time when more support is needed to account for the pressures caused by the cost-of-living crisis.
“The cuts will further exacerbate educational underachievement for those children already identified as having persistent low attainment rates, including children entitled to free school meals, ethnic minority children and children in care.
“Furthermore, the special educational needs system is on its knees and is failing to ensure appropriate access to education for the most vulnerable children in our society.
“Unless we see urgent transformation, policy progression and real investment, the system faces collapse.”
Prof. Purdy said in his conclusion that research has shown “that the rate of autism in school aged children in the 10% most deprived areas was 40% higher than the NI average”.
He added: “The challenges facing children with SEN in NI are therefore immense, and so it is deeply disappointing and short-sighted to hear that funding for the EA’s Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Transformation Programme (as earmarked funds) has also been cut by 50% in 2023/24.”
The report was, today, welcomed by Controlled Schools’ Support Council (CSSC).
Mark Baker, CSSC Chief Executive said: “CSSC asks the NI Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris MP and Minister of State Steve Baker MP to accept the extensive evidence that continues to be presented demonstrating the unfair underinvestment in education in Northern Ireland.
“CSSC welcomes the ‘Consequences of the cuts to education for children and young people in Northern Ireland’ report. The decision to treat NI differently and provide less money for education than to England has led to the consequences of the cuts outlined.
“Schools and education service providers need consistent and sufficient core funding that is not dependent on in year allocations or one-off payment. The amount provided to schools to deliver education is simply not enough. CSSC hopes that the Secretary of State listens today and takes the necessary action to reverse his decisions.”
