Education Minister tells WELB that audit was 'incomplete'

Editorial Department • Published 2 Feb 2012 13:00 0 Comments

The Western Education and Library Board has been asked to re-submit a viability audit on schools here after the Education Minister found audits from all five Boards "incomplete".

Back in September, the Minister Mr. John O'Dowd ordered all education boards to complete an audit of schools, starting with post-primaries, looking at pupil numbers, finances and education quality. He said that there were up to 85,000 empty places in schools, equating to 150 empoty schools across Northern Ireland.

Now Mr. O'Dowd has deemed the Viability Audits submitted by the Education and Library Boards incomplete.

"I have always stated that this would be an open and transparent exercise. While acknowledging the

work to date, as submitted, I do not believe it fulfils the requirements set out in the terms of reference. It is vital that we have a clear and unambiguous understanding of the extent of the financial and educational challenges facing schools now and in the future so that we can take forward work to plan provision for the future which is sustainable and effective. For this reason I have asked the Boards to complete and resubmit the audits. I have also asked them to set out proposals on how they plan to address the position in those schools demonstrating the greatest degree of financial stress."

"My focus is on protecting the education of the pupils in schools - the Viability Audits are an essential part of that so it is important that they are carried out as set out in the terms of reference," Mr. O'Dowd said.

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This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 02 Feb 12

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