Robbie MeredithEducation and arts correspondent, BBC News NI
NAHT
Dr Graham Gault said school leaders had “been warning for years that children in their schools are being failed as a result of political choices not to fund education adequately”
School principals have been told to restrict the appointment of new staff and limit the use of substitute teachers to save money, according to the Chief Executive of the Education Authority (EA) Richard Pengelly.
In an unusual letter directly to school principals Mr Pengelly said they should “take all reasonable steps to contain expenditure”.
He also said that the EA was facing a funding gap of £300m and, unlike in previous years, did not expect additional funding to address the shortfall.
The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) said the letter “lays bare the dire financial reality facing our schools”.
Education Authority
Richard Pengelly said school principals have been told to restrict the appointment of new staff and limit the use of substitute teachers to save money
In previous years, education has often received extra funding in Stormont budget reallocations known as monitoring rounds.
Dr Graham Gault, of the NAHT, said school leaders had “been warning for years that children in their schools are being failed as a result of political choices not to fund education adequately”.
“This letter confirms everything we have been saying,” he said.
“We are now in a position where schools are being asked to restrict substitute cover when teachers are absent.”
He added that it “potentially means children losing out on their education, larger class sizes school leaders and teachers being stretched even thinner trying to cover gaps”.
“It definitely means further damage to an already overstretched workforce,” he added.
For Damian O’Kane, the principal of Hezlett Primary School in County Londonderry, Mr Pengelly’s letter was “a difficult read.”
“We can’t control sick leave or events that come up in teacher’s lives,” he told BBC News NI.
“The employment of substitute teachers is the only way that we can cover that.
“I don’t see a way around that for my school, for my class sizes.”
‘Difficult financial situation’
Mr O’Kane said that his school was having to ask parents to help out the school financially.
“We still have the regular daily costs that must be met.
“We’re constantly then asking as respectfully as we can for other people to try and prop up our finances.
“We are already thinking twice about whether I should be bringing a substitute teacher in.
“We’re cutting down the use of our lighting and the use of our heating.”
He said most principals, himself included, understand the “difficult financial situation”.
But he added: “I just don’t know where or how schools are expected to cut any more.”
The warning from the EA comes in advance of any pay deal for teachers and school staff being agreed for 2025/26.
The EA board was recently told that about 70% of schools in Northern Ireland would be in financial deficit by March 2026.