Responding to the launch today of the final report of the Independent Review of Education, Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union, said:
“The NASUWT has long argued that education in Northern Ireland needs a fundamental review. Evidence from the OECD and other research sources confirms that the Northern Ireland education system is one in which poverty and disadvantage have a significant impact on educational outcomes and experiences in comparison to other jurisdictions.
“NASUWT had called on the review to focus its efforts on increasing levels of investment in the education system to provide high quality support for the teacher and school leader workforce. Its recognition of the severe resource constraints that the education system currently faces is, therefore, accurate and welcome. This issue must be addressed as a matter of urgency.
“The reality is that if teachers are not adequately rewarded for the work that they do and their workloads are not properly managed, the education system in Northern Ireland will struggle to recruit a workforce which can deliver sustained improvement over the coming years.”
Justin McCamphill, NASUWT National Official Northern Ireland, said:
“The review panel’s focus on inequity, disadvantage and how social cohesion can be promoted is correct, and we will study its conclusions in this respect carefully.
“We are pleased to note that the review recognised the advantages of moving towards a single employing authority for all teachers and support staff in Northern Ireland. The advantages of such an arrangement for learners and staff are clear, and we will continue to press for this important reform to be adopted.
“The review’s recommendation that all education provision, including further education, should be brought within the purview of a single department is also welcome.
“This is not the first review of education in Northern Ireland and there is a real fear among teachers that the lack of political leadership at Executive level will inhibit any meaningful change. It will be important that political leaders give serious consideration to any recommendations of the review and engage fully with the NASUWT on how they will be implemented."
