Pictured at the WELB’s last board meeting are former Chief Executives Michael Murphy and Joseph Martin, along with former Senior Management Team members and PA’s
THE Western Education and Library Board ceased operation on Tuesday March 31 to be replaced by the ‘Education Authority Western Region’ (EAWR) on April 1, heralding the dawn of a new era for education in Fermanagh. In total five Education and Library Boards were closed to form the Education Authority, which has assumed responsibility for delivering education and youth services across Northern Ireland.
EAWR director, Barry Mulholland, commented that now education body’s main message is “business as usual and uninterrupted service delivery”.
The new organisation will have a £1.5 billion budget with responsibility for improving educational outcomes; modernisation of the education estate; delivering effective and efficient services and developing a professional workforce.
Chief Executive of the Education Authority Gavin Boyd reassured those in Fermanagh regarding the future.
“My message to parents, teachers and pupils previously served by the Western Education and Library Board is clear. There will be very little change in relation to the delivery of services in the short term.
“You can be assured that matters in Fermanagh will receive the same level of attention as before. They will continue to be managed by the staff in the Education Authority’s Western Regional Office, formerly WELB.”
He continued: “There are significant challenges ahead as we work in the context of a reduced education budget for 2015/16. Capital expenditure has been impacted; however the Education Authority will continue to support the Minister as he works to secure much needed funding for capital expenditure in education.
Our education administration system has been under considerable strain over the last few years as we lost 450 staff through voluntary severance. The creation of the Education Authority will initially bring stability back and ensure that we continue to deliver services effectively.
“I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the Western Region and exploring how the Education Authority can develop and improve as we work together to support the delivery of education and make our contribution to improving the life chances of all of our young people,” he added.
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