Too much money has been spent on sectoral and employing bodies which could be better spent educating children, Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said.

The Strangford MLA was speaking after the Department of Education published an independent ‘landscape review’ of the Education Authority (EA), to look at the operation and governance of the EA. Its recommendations include the EA improving communications and responsiveness, and making education services more child-centric.

“This review has confirmed while some aspects of the EA have progressed, many issues of concern remain outstanding,” said Ms Armstrong.

“It has also laid out the EA should be more child-centric. Indeed, the whole education system should concentrate more on outcomes for children rather than maintaining an overly complicated and sectional school system.

“Alliance has repeatedly called for an independent review of the entire education system, which was finally confirmed to take place 18 months ago. Given it is due to report later this year, the question needs asked of why we need such a complex and complicated education administrative system. Too much money has been spent on sectoral and employing bodies that could instead be used to educate children.

“It is time for the education system to be less about vested interests and protection of separation, and instead to be about providing our children and young people with the education they deserve.”