The joint trade unions (UNISON, NIPSA, Unite, GMB), representing support staff in education are urging the public to join a protest against proposed education cuts and the Education Authority’s proposal to increase the price of school meals on Wednesday, 3rd December at 12:30 PM on the steps of Stormont.
Due to insufficient budgets and chronic underfunding, proposals have been made to cut services and increase fees across the education sector. One such proposal includes raising the cost of school meals by 50p. These measures unfairly place the burden of underfunding on children, education staff, parents, and families—while failing to address the root cause: a fundamental budget shortfall.
“These cuts will do little to close the funding gap,” said a spokesperson for the unions. “Continuing down this path will erode education services and make them unaffordable for many families.”
The trade unions are calling on the Minister of Education and the NI Assembly to reject these cuts and stop the increase in the price of school meals and instead advocate for increased funding. If overspending is necessary to maintain quality education, then it must be implemented. Education should not be compromised.
Join us on Wednesday to stand for fair funding and protect the future of education.