Principals in north Belfast have come together to discuss the “catastrophic consequences” that cuts in the education sector are having on their schools.
Head teachers representing primary and post primary sectors provided their insights into what the reality is for schools in the north of the city, which remains one of the most deprived parts of Northern Ireland.
The conference at Clifton House, entitled ‘The immediate and long-term impacts of cuts on north Belfast’s education sector’, also heard how struggles have worsened amid the cost-of-living crisis.
The event, part of Clifton House’s 250th Anniversary programme, looked at the current state of education in north Belfast, how schools are dealing with unprecedented levels of poverty and the predictions recent cuts will have, longer-term, on an education system already under pressure.
Ashleigh Galway, principal of Currie Primary School, spoke about the experience of their youngest pupils.
“Arriving at a school building for the first time our youngest children coming on their first day of school are now met with buildings that have had all maintenance worked stalled for years,” she said.
“Paint flaking on school railings, ours included, toilets closed, playgrounds with old and broken equipment, broken windows boarded up rather than replaced, no painting or refurbishment work completed and generally sad looking places for our next generation to learn.”
She said one of her main concerns was mental health as “counselling support has been impacted significantly with the removal of Happy Healthy Minds”.
“Within our own 21 north Belfast primary schools we are facing unprecedented need for this support with all schools reporting a waiting list for counselling regardless of context or the colour of uniform or school railings,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the post primary schools, Martin Moreland, principal of Mercy College, said cuts are negatively impacting families communities and young people.
“We cannot underestimate the dire impact that underfunding an education system can have not least on the young people currently in it, but their families, school communities and society, as a whole,” he said.
“Schools need to provide a safe, warm environment with basic needs met, otherwise learning doesn’t take place.
“Many schools are currently struggling to meet this due to years and years of underinvestment.
“More and more young people are now living in poverty, coming to school with lack of food, lack of clothing and lack of personal hygiene.
“Our schools are now providing much more care than ever before, on top of mental health issues and pastoral care.
“First and foremost, we are educationalists, so, when we are the parent, councillor, psychiatrist, nurse, social worker, friend, that is time not being spent on the formal curriculum.”
Sir Ronnie Weatherup, president of Belfast Charitable Society, said “We really wanted to use the event today to raise awareness of the devastating impact cuts to education are having, particularly in deprived areas like north Belfast.
“We will continue to look at this important issue to see what we, as a charity, can do to help alleviate some of the pressures schools face.”
