Education: review raises concerns over 'funding crisis' in Northern Ireland and makes a number of recommendations for radical reform

A new report today raises major concerns of an ongoing education "funding crisis" in Northern Ireland.

And an extra £291m alone is needed to address special education needs and meet a funding gap with England and Wales.

The Independent Review of Education in Northern Ireland, which was a key commitment in New Decade New Approach, has made 25 recommendations, including that all learners by law, should remain in education or apprenticeship/training until age 18.

This could involve full-time education or training, or spending at least 20 hours per week working or volunteering while in part-time education or training.

Panel chairman Dr Keir Bloomer said education in Northern Ireland has "suffered from years of underfunding".

He said the report has far-reaching recommendations to "radically reform" the education landscape in the region.

Dr Bloomer said: "Our analysis shows that recurrent funding for the Department of Education has reduced in real terms by £145m over the last 11 years while the pupil population increased by 7%.

"During that time, per-pupil funding reduced in real-terms by around 11%. These cuts are having a lasting and detrimental impact on learners, and need to be reversed."

The panel also claimed funding in Northern Ireland is inequitable compared to other parts of the UK.

Dr Bloomer said: "The 2023/24 budget for the Department of Education, as announced by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in April 2023, was 2.5% less than the prior year budget. This compares unfavourably to the 6.5% planned rise in the English schools budget."

The report also recommended the formation of a single unified department to oversee "learning and skills" by merging some of the responsibilities of the Department for the Economy with the Department of Education.

The panel concluded that further education should be reformed to reduce costs and support lifelong learning.

This would involve simplifying the qualification system, expanding the number of university places and a single college governance model with fully integrated shared services operating via local campuses to replace the current regional colleges.

In addition, it seeks the expansion of early-years education so that all two-year-olds receive up to 20 hours per week.

Other key points among the 25 recommendations include the need to prioritise investment in education, "promote learners learning together", reform the curriculum and increase the age of educational participation to 18.

It also focuses on access to the curriculum for all pupils, the prospects of moving towards a single education system, securing greater efficiency in delivery costs, and raising standards.

It recommends there should be a limit on the number of students transferring to post-primary schools based on academic criteria and increased flexibility for students to transfer to different institutions.

The panel said there should be a new plan for the school network to promote greater community cohesion under a single strategic planning authority.

This process could potentially create 177 new "jointly managed community schools" by merging schools from different sectors.

This would result in one in five pupils enrolled in such schools by 2031.

The panel recommends that all schools should take steps to ensure a greater mix of religious background in their pupil population.

The report said the reformed network could generate maximum annual savings of approximately £100 million for reinvestment in education.

The reform of the school network follows concern over the number of small schools in Northern Ireland, with more than 245 primary schools below minimum thresholds for pupils - 21 of which had fewer than 30 pupils.

Department of Education Permanent Secretary, Dr Mark Browne said: “I want to thank Dr Keir Bloomer and his colleagues Sir Gerry Loughran, Marie Lindsay, Robin McLoughlin and Isabel Nisbet for their commitment and effort over the last two years and the submission of the final report.

“The remit of the report set out a unique and challenging opportunity to consider all aspects of the design, structure and delivery of education in Northern Ireland.

“The recommendations made by the Panel are wide-ranging, far-reaching and signal a significant change to existing policy and service delivery. Implementation of recommendations in the report would therefore require Ministerial direction, Executive agreement and, importantly, immediate additional resources which the Panel has estimated at £300m.

“The Department will now assess the findings and recommendations and make the necessary preparations to consult widely on the report to inform an incoming Minister and Executive.”

Chief Executive of the Education Authority Sara Long today welcomed the report and added:

“We will now take some time in collaboration with our Board, schools, staff and partners in the wider education system to carefully consider the findings and recommendations in full.

“The review presents the opportunity for change to improve outcomes for children and young people at every stage of their educational journey.

“It is very clear we need significant and sustained investment in education following a decade of chronic underfunding. Therefore, we welcome the recommendation in the report for an immediate uplift in the education budget by £291m to address the pupil funding gap with England and Wales and to meet the needs of a growing number of learners with a Statement of Educational needs (SEN).

“This is essential in driving forward further transformation in critical areas, including SEN, to ensure that as a whole system we make the best use of resources, starting with investment in early years support and education, to deliver for our children and young people now and into the future.”