This morning our teaching staff and school leadership picketed in support of our respective unions’ whole day strike action.

Education is in a state of crisis here in the North of Ireland. The following cuts have recently been implemented to the sector:

- Reduction of £7.5 million in capital funding for schools,
- The discontinuation of the book scheme for P1.
- Ending of Free School Meals holiday payments.
- Cessation of funding for the P7 Cycling Proficiency Scheme.
- The discontinuation of counselling funding for schools (Happy Healthy Minds).
- The end of Engage funding.
- Critical Extended Schools money streams finished.
- No additional funding to mitigate against the high cost of heating and lighting for our school. Additional spend has to come out of the school budget. This then ends up curbing spending on areas for resources to support our children’s education.
- Massive reductions to the 2023/24 school budget.

Teacher’s pay here in the North is significantly less than any other region on these islands. In real terms, over the past ten years, it has essentially been a 30% reduction in relation to inflation. Yet more and more is expected of our teachers on a daily basis with no additional time or payment given to reflect this. 

Today the teachers and school leadership of the school have effectively withdrawn their labour and thus do not get paid. The support of our parents and school community is very much welcome at this time!

P.S. Thank you to Conor McKibbin and the staff of Brennan’s, Dundrum, for their solidarity this morning with complimentary refreshments. It was much appreciated.