'Crisis-hit' Newry school principal calls for restoration at Stormont

By Iveren McCallion

A Newry head teacher's urging MLAs to put aside their differences.

Kevin Donaghy from St Ronan's primary school says his and many other schools face 'crisis' as the Stormont impasse continues.

He wrote a letter to parents asking them to fund after-school activities and Spanish lessons due to 'substantial deficits'.

An Education budget wasn't in place before the Executive collapsed.

Mr Donaghy told Q Radio that institutions are on the brink:

A South Down MLA says that children are suffering most because of the political crisis.

Colin McGrath's comments follow a letter from a Newry head teacher sent to parents asking them to fund after-school activities.

In it Kevin Donaghy told parents that St Ronan's Primary School faces 'crisis'.

It's because an Education budget wasn't in place before the Executive collapsed.

Mr McGrath says "children have been put in the firing line for a failure of politics."

He's appealing for all minds to be focused on a 'creative compromise' to restore the Executive.

He said, "Every day now we’re hearing about a new cut to a critical education service. Whether it’s a reduction in youth service funding from an Education Authority austerity spree or cuts to school budgets, our children are being punished for a failure of politics. It isn’t acceptable.

"The funding cut to St Ronan’s in Newry which has forced the principle to ask parents to fund after-school activities and Spanish lessons is a clear indication that this situation is not sustainable. And this follows a spate of cuts to youth services as budget lines are stretched to breaking point. Our young people deserve better."