Press Releases
Statement From The Secretaries Of The Boards Of Education Of The Church of Ireland, Presbyterian Church in Ireland And Methodist Church In Ireland
Statement from the Secretaries of the Boards of Education of the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian Church in Ireland and Methodist Church in Ireland:
The Transferor Churches welcome the agreement today by the Executive that legislation will be drafted to establish a single body to replace the five Education and Library Boards. It is good that a way forward has been found to place the future of educational administration on a secure footing and to remove the current uncertainty.
The Transferors also warmly welcome the Executive’s agreement that the proposed Bill will include an additional provision to fund a new body to support Controlled schools. At their annual meetings of General Synod, General Assembly and Conference earlier this year, the three Transferor Churches expressed deep concern at the continued disadvantaged position of Controlled schools and called on the Minister to create a body to support and advocate for the Controlled sector. The Churches are pleased that he and his Executive colleagues have responded and acknowledge the support of those parties whose work over the years has enabled such a positive development. The establishment of this new body will correct a deficit in the education system which has existed for decades and will enable Controlled schools to feel they now have an advocate body to work alongside them to bring about continued improvement in educational outcomes for children and young people.
Revd Dr Ian W Ellis (Church of Ireland)
Revd Trevor D Gribben (Presbyterian Church in Ireland)
Revd Donald P Ker (Methodist Church in Ireland)
Issued by REBECCA McCONNELL, PRESBYTERIAN INFORMATION SERVICES Presbyterian Church in Ireland Assembly Buildings, Fisherwick Place, Belfast. BT1 6DW
Office: +44 (0)28 9032 2284
Mobile: 077 2996 5231
Email: [email protected]
www.presbyterianireland.org