MHK calls for schools to have more control over budgets

Schools should be given more responsibility and allowed to manage their own budgets.

That’s the view of Michael MHK Alf Cannan who says a number of head teachers have expressed concerns about the centralisation of services.

£5.7 million is being transferred out of the Department of Education and Children following the creation of shared services like caretaking, cleaning and catering.

Today the Treasury Minister will be asked to explain what consultation took place with headteachers before their budgetary and management control was changed.

Mr Cannan says he isn’t convinced it’s the way forward: