Education Authority boss hits out at criticisms of public services

By Bairbre Holmes (PA)

The head of the Education Authority has hit out at criticism of public services and employees, saying: “I see every day the commitment of so many people to do their absolute best for children, young people and schools.”

In an end of year message, Richard Pengelly said he wanted to “push back” against “inaccurate narratives that portray all public services and employees as always failing”.

He added: “I do not seek to suggest we get things right every time – but we certainly do so many, many more times than we get it wrong.

“To suggest otherwise is both inaccurate and unfair to those colleagues who care passionately about their work.”

He said it is “undoubtedly a very difficult time for education and for public services generally”, adding: “Funding pressures are increasingly severe, while demand in key areas continues to grow.”

Almost 50,000 people work across Northern Ireland’s education and youth services, and Mr Pengelly said: “The reality is that alongside all the pressures and the areas for improvement, staff across education and youth services are delivering a very wide range of absolutely crucial services.”