School audits deemed 'incomplete'

The minister says he believes the work carried out to date by the boards does not "fulfil the requirements set out in the terms of reference."

The audits' Terms of Reference required the Boards to provide a report that:

• identifies, based on robust and verifiable information and the professional judgement of the Boards and CCMS, all primary and post-primary schools currently facing significant viability challenges in terms of sustainable enrolment trends
• delivers quality education (including the requirements of the revised curriculum and the Entitlement Framework) and financial stability
• categorises these schools in terms of the root cause of the problem
• presents proposals, either already in place or planned, for such schools to address the causes of unviability in order to protect the education of the children and young people enrolled in those schools.

The Minister said: "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."

The Sinn Féin MLA said he has requested the boards "to set out proposals on how they plan to address the position in those schools demonstrating the greatest degree of financial stress."

The Minister concluded: "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."

DUP Chairman of the Education Committee at Stormont, Mervyn Storey, said the current situation is a bureaucratic mess.

He said: "Unfortunately, yet again we have an education system in the centre of controversy and I don't think that this in any way instills a sense of calm or future in terms of our schools.

"There is this consistent fear that some people have about the audit that is being undertaken, that it is being done simply to ensure there is the identification of the most vulnerable.

"I think that if this is the sole basis of this process then I think that it is the wrong way to bring about change, in a system that undoubtedly needs an element of change."