The Chief Executives of the bodies that manage, support and provide services to Northern Ireland’s schools have today published a statement expressing profound concerns about the financial crisis facing the education system.
The statement, circulated to MLAs and the Secretary of State, warns that the proposed draft multi-year Budget for 2026–2029/30 would require the Department of Education to find savings of £826 million in 2026–27 alone, almost half of the current Aggregated Schools Budget.
With around 70% of schools already in financial deficit and over 80% of the education budget committed to staffing costs, the signatories say there is little flexibility remaining in the system to absorb cuts of this scale.
The Chief Executives are urging all stakeholders, parents, staff and the wider public, to engage with the Department of Finance’s budget consultation before the 3 March 2026 deadline.
Mark Baker, Chief Executive, Controlled Schools’ Support Council said: “We recognise our collective responsibility to pursue efficiency and make the best possible use of available resources. However, efficiency alone cannot address a funding gap of this scale. The implications for education are stark and must be clearly understood.
“Alongside school leaders, principals’ associations, teaching unions and governors, we have consistently warned that chronic underfunding is placing unacceptable pressure on schools and disproportionately harming our most vulnerable and disadvantaged children.”
The statement references the Independent Review of Education, Investing in a Better Future (December 2023), which concluded that education in Northern Ireland is grossly underfunded and set out 25 costed recommendations for reform.
