Government departments

Caitriona Ruane is the present Education Minister for Northern Ireland

The Department of Education in Northern Ireland oversees the central administration of education in Northern Ireland. It is responsible for:

• The strategic planning and management of education.

• Curriculum content and delivery.

• Allocating funding to the Education and Library Boards.

• Covering capital costs for most schools.

Education and Library Boards

There are five Education and Library Boards, which are the local education authorities and library authorities for their areas. However, they and a number of other sectoral bodies are due to be phased out in 2010 and their roles taken on by the Education and Skills Authority or ESA. At the moment the boards ensure that there are enough schools of all types to meet the needs of their area. They channel funding from the Department of Education to schools and provide support services.

Other responsibilities include:

• Providing milk and meals, free books and pupil transport.

• Enforcing school attendance.

• Advising on school curriculum.

• Providing recreational services.

• Employing teachers in controlled schools.

• Employing non-teaching staff in controlled and maintained schools.

Council for Catholic Maintained Schools

The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools promotes and co-ordinates Catholic education in Northern Ireland. It is responsible for the employment of teachers in Catholic maintained schools and for a number of other, mainly advisory, functions. It is funded by the Department of Education in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education

This body promotes integrated education and facilitates the establishment of integrated schools. These bring together in one school, children, parents, teachers and governors from Catholic, Protestant and other traditions. The schools are all-ability and follow the statutory curriculum. The council negotiates with the education department to facilitate the creation of new schools and to assist existing schools that wish to transform to integrated status. It is funded by the education department and the Integrated Education Fund.

Funding for individual schools

Grants can be distributed to equip schools. Funding and decision-making is given to schools under a Local Management of Schools scheme. The funding formula, set by the Department of Education, is based on factors such as pupil numbers, size of school and social and educational needs.

The Education and Library Boards will also distribute specific grants to schools for specific programmes. There is a small number of Irish Medium schools which may receive grant aid from the Department of Education if they meet certain criteria.

Board of governors

Where funding and decision-making is delegated to schools, the board of governors have an important role to play. Parent representatives sit on the board. The board is responsible for the main policy decisions within schools including:

• Ensuring the education provided meets legal requirements.

• Approving school development plans including performance aims and targets.

• Supporting schools' policies.

• Managing financial plans.

In addition, governors are involved in the appointment of staff, disciplinary procedures and setting school standards.

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