Hazzard welcomes Accelerated Passage for Education Bill
Sinn Féin Education spokesperson Chris Hazzard MLA has said that today's decision by the Assembly to grant accelerated passage for the Education Bill presents "real opportunity for much-needed progress" on vital administrative reform.
Chris Hazzard said:
"With the Reform of Public Administration (RPA) coming into effect on April 1st 2015, the existing Education & Library Boards would be left in a precarious legal position if subsequent educational administrative reform was not agreed.
"Sinn Féin have for some time now called for all sides to come together to agree a way forward for the reform of our educational administration.
"Not only does this process present a great opportunity for financial savings as a result of a new streamlined, strategic Education Authority; but agreement will also deliver clarity and confidence in the way forward throughout the system."
Mr Hazzard concluded;
"I was pleased that accelerated passage was granted and that following a lengthy debate in the chamber the general principles of the Bill were also agreed.
"As we move forward in the weeks ahead to final considerations of the Bill I hope that all sides work to achieve much-needed consensus on the way ahead for our education system."