A reversal of Tory austerity cuts is required to restore school budgets to an appropriate level, Sinn Féin MLA Karen Mullan has said.
The party’s Education spokesperson was commenting after a Westminster committee called for the education budget to be increased because a lack of funding is having a ‘devastating impact’ on schools.
The NI Affairs Committee has carried out an inquiry into education funding.
It concluded that a growing funding crisis in North of Ireland’s schools has led to unmanageable pressures on school budgets.
It also found there was not enough resources for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) pupils.
Said Karen Mullan: “Sustained reductions to school budgets are the direct result of austerity cuts imposed by the Tories with the support of the DUP.
“This is what needs to change if we are to reverse the impact that these cuts are having on children and schools.
“The restoration of the Assembly and Executive will not of themselves address the funding issues facing education.
“That can and will only be done when the British government abandons its austerity agenda and restores the Block Grant to the levels that address the needs of the people of the north.
“I and my colleagues will continue to make the case for greater resources for public services and particularly for education.”
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