All five education boards have budget shortfalls

Its finance committee voted against cutting �6.25m from school support, special education, crossing patrols and transport from next year's budget.

The committee called on Education Minister Barry Gardiner to attend a special meeting of the board to hear first hand objections to the cuts.

There is already a �30m backlog of maintenance work in the board area.

Budget shortfalls

Last week the Southern Education and Library Board put off a decision on adopting a plan to cut �7m from its budget for next year.

It has asked board officers to meet the education minister, or the secretary of state, to reduce the shortfall by �0.5m.

All five education boards in Northern Ireland are facing a funding shortfall.