Cuts affect classroom assistants and support for teachers

The Western Education and Library Board, based in Omagh, is faced with cutbacks of �5.7m if it is to stay within its budget.

Three other boards have already agreed to make savings which they say will damage children's education.

Eight councillors resigned in protest after the Belfast Education Board voted for a �7m package of cuts.

The board also passed a no confidence motion in the Northern Ireland education minister.

Members cited the "the impossible financial cuts imposed on the education system and the minister's belligerent manner toward the board".

Tom Hartley of Sinn Fein, who quit the Belfast board along with three party colleagues, three SDLP members, and David Brown of the UUP, said he anticipated further cuts in the next two years.

Dr Desmond Hamilton, principal of Strandtown Primary School in east Belfast, said he could not afford any further cutbacks.

"We have 253 children coming into year four in September and my numbers are increasing and I have to find the money for an additional teacher and unfortunately there is no extra money coming," he said.

Job fears

Trade unions have warned jobs could be lost because of the cuts.

Unison regional secretary Patricia McKeown confirmed it is to ballot its members on strike action.

"I am afraid it is time for us to stand up again for public services, for the jobs of our own people," she said.

"It is a great source of regret to me that we have got to do it under an administration that I expect so much better from, but at the end of the day someone is going to have to stand up and be counted."

Meanwhile, the North Eastern Board voted to close Antrim's Massereene College despite a final attempt by parents and governors to apply for integrated status.

Adrian Watson of the Ulster Unionist Party and Arthur Templeton subsequently quit their posts on the board.

The North Eastern Board has already voted to push through cuts to school services "under severe duress", as it faces a �6m shortfall in money from the department next year.

The South Eastern Education and Library Board has also voted through a package of measures "under duress" to save millions of pounds.

They include major cutbacks in services to special needs children as well as cuts in transport, classroom assistants and support for teachers.