Lunn – Blame for Education Bill blockage lies with whole Executive

Alliance Education spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has stated during a debate on the issue, that the blame for the lack of movement of the Education Bill to create the new Education Skills Authority, lies with the whole Executive and not just the Education Minister. The bill was meant to be debated at the start of November but has not been brought forward.

Trevor Lunn said: “The blame for this impasse lies not only with the Minister but perhaps more so with her Executive colleagues.

“There is no doubt that there is not a consensus on some aspects on the bill, but surely the way to sort out all these disagreements is to bring the bill to the floor of the Assembly for a full debate.

“A tremendous amount of work and preparation has gone into making the Education Skills Authority a reality, to say nothing of significant expenditure. But yet some members of the Education Committee appear to have great satisfaction in the fact that this bill has stalled.

“The Education Skill Authority is now central to the future of our education system. It is now being threatened with extinction without being allowed to exist. Yet I have heard no concrete suggestions for an alternative except for the status quo.

“I hope that the Executive and the Minister gets the message that the public wants to see progress on this issue.”

ENDS