The Trade Unions representing EA support staff are taking a stand against proposed cuts and rising costs for education services.
We are calling on all NIPSA members to join us on 3rd December at the steps of Stormont to send a clear message to the Education Committee: the public should not be expected to cover the funding gap in education. The NI Assembly must set a needs-based budget for education.
Parents are being asked to pay more for school meals and music services. EOTAS referrals are being paused. Agency staff are being let go, and recruitment freezes will result in increased workloads for education workers.
These measures will not close the funding gap.
The solution is not to reduce services or shift the burden onto families. The Department and EA should be prepared to protect education services by overspending the budget. Education must be properly funded to deliver the quality service our children deserve.
This is a critical moment for education in Northern Ireland. If we do not act now, the consequences will be felt by staff, children, and families for years to come. Let’s stand together and make our voices heard - because education is not a luxury, it is a right.