Education Authority

The Education Act (NI) 2014, which became law in December 2014, provided for the establishment of the Education Authority to replace the five Education and Library Boards (ELBs) and their Staff Commission with effect from 1 April 2015. The establishment of the Authority was required to provide a sound legal basis for education administration by making it compatible with the new 11-council model of local government. The Act confers new duties on the Education Authority in relation to Shared Education and the community use of school premises. Otherwise, the functions and responsibilities of the Authority are the same as those of the ELBs.

In managing the transition from five organisations to a single authority, business continuity has been the priority. This has been achieved through retention for an interim period of the existing operational structures and procedures of the former ELBs. Following the appointment of five 2nd tier Directors in the spring of 2016, work will be progressed to review and redesign the delivery of services within a single structure, building on best practice within the ELBs.

The creation of the Education Authority is the first major reorganisation of education administration since 1973 and will underpin education provision for a generation. It has greatly simplified and streamlined an education administration that was out-of date, overly layered and complex. As a single regional authority with modern and accountable governance arrangements, the Authority will support the drive for improvement by ensuring a common approach to support services focusing on equality of access and consistency in the delivery of Departmental policies.