Rogers Says Time to Move From ESA And Get Support To Teachers

SDLP education spokesperson Seán Rogers MLA has welcomed news that the five Education and Library Bodies will be reconstituted into a single body. The South Down Asemblyman was speaking after the Education Minister announced he had received Executive backing for the proposal. Mr Rogers said now was the time to move on from the debacle of the Education and Skills Authourity (ESA) and get support to teachers and staff: “In terms of moving our education system forward, this is a welcomed development, particularly in terms of issues such as staff development. “It’s beyond time that a line is drawn in the sand on ESA. I have been in constant contact with people who work both at the library boards and in schools, teaching and non-teaching staff alike, who have been running their development on a shoe-string budget. “For example, the CASS teacher development program is currently only able to offer a fire-fighting service for schools because of huge budgetary pressure, financially constrained to be reactive rather than proactive. “Like any professional industry, teachers need high quality professional development. “I look forward to the reconstituting of the five boards into one and it can start to provide high quality support for teachers, schools and ultimately, our pupils,”  added Mr Rogers.