Education Minister John O’Dowd.
The Stormont Executive’s has agreed that legislation should be brought forward to create a single body to replace the five existing Education and Library Boards (ELBs)and their Staff Commission.
The new body will assume the responsibilities of the ELBs – including the Western Education and Library Board – as they currently exist, including employer responsibilities.
The proposed Bill will also include a provision for the Department of Education to fund a new body to provide support for controlled schools.
The decision has been welcomed by Education Minister, John O’Dowd.
Speaking after the Executive meeting, Mr O’Dowd said: “Had it been possible to secure agreement on the Education Bill, then the Education and Skills Authority (ESA) would have been in place for April 2015. However, despite my best efforts, that agreement was not forthcoming. In these circumstances the Executive has agreed to withdraw its current commitment to establish ESA.
“I now have the Executive’s agreement for my Department to begin work on legislation to replace the existing five Education and Library Boards (ELBs) with a single body.”
Mr O’Dowd added: “There is no ‘do-nothing’ option. This is the best way of providing an education administration that is compatible with the changes to district councils that take full effect on 1 April 2015.
“It will provide stability in our education system and ensure consistency in services. Further delay will damage the ability of Boards to deliver a modern education service.”
Mr O’Dowd added: “A single board will also have much of the strength of the business case made for ESA, which promised £185 million savings over 10 years.”
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