Educational Administration (Hansard, 4 March 1993)

HC Deb 04 March 1993 vol 220 cc246-7W 246W

§ Mr. Stott
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he intends to take, in the light of the consultative document, "Educational Administration in Northern Ireland", to consult parents and teachers before concluding which of the three possible systems set out in the document he intends to install; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Hanley
Copies of the consultative document on educational administration in Northern Ireland have been widely distributed to schools, colleges, teachers unions and professional associations. The views of parents have been sought through the Parents Action Group on Education. Press advertisements have also been placed informing the public of the publication of the document and inviting comments by 25 June. Furthermore, there have been detailed press articles setting out the contents of the document. The Government have stressed that no decisions will be made until all representations have been considered.

§ Mr. Stott
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what study his Department has made of the potential impact on the current numbers employed within the five education and library boards, in the light of any move towards each of the three proposed models set out in chapters 6, 7 and 8 of the consultative document on educational administration in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Hanley
The models described in the consultative document are intended to be illustrative of the broad frameworks within which educational services might be provided rather than to be detailed blueprints for future structures. They do not exclude consideration of any other models that might be suggested. The Government are committed to extensive consultation on the way ahead and will not make any final decisions until that consultation is completed. In these circumstances any notional assessment of the implications of the three models for present 247W levels of employment in the education and library boards was not considered to be of significant value at this stage of the review process.