85,000 empty desks crisis to see Northern Ireland's failing schools shut down [belfasttelegraph.co.uk]
- Published: 22 September 2011
A process to identify failing schools earmarked for closure has begun as the full dire financial situation of our education system is revealed.
The Department of Education is struggling to implement £300m of budget cuts, and authorities including the library boards and the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS), have now been asked to draw up a list of schools which are not viable.
It comes as it is unveiled that there are now a staggering 85,000 empty desks in Northern Ireland’s schools. Previously, the number had been estimated at 50,000. It is also understood that schools here will have run up debts of £100m by 2014.
Full Story: www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
