SCHOOL leaders are staging a series of public events to highlight the extent of the funding crisis facing education.
The National Association of Head teachers (NAHT) has arranged public meetings in Belfast on September 28 and Ballymena on October 5.
The events are open to all school leaders, staff, parents, governors and politicians.
The union says that investment in education must be a priority and is encouraging people to "share how the funding crisis is impacting the teaching and learning in your local school".
Despite rising pupil numbers, school budgets had not received investment reflective of this increasing demand, NAHT said.
This has led to budgets "being sliced ever more thinly" resulting in a cut of £61 per pupil in primary schools, £83 in nursery schools for full-time pupils and £25 per pupil in real terms for post primary.
The union said its series of campaigning initiatives and events aimed "to ensure that politicians and senior civil servants are aware of the full implications of these cuts".
The first event will be held at Strandtown PS in east Belfast at 7:30pm on Thursday. Castle Tower School in Ballymena will host a similar event on October 5, again starting at 7:30pm.
"Our school funding in crisis events are open to members and non-members, all school staff, governors, parents and local politicians," the union said.
"These local events will provide a general overview of how the funding of schools in your area is affecting schools and the wider community, including the long term impact on our children's future opportunities.
"Background information and an overview of the current position will be presented and advice will be given on how to get involved in our local and national campaign work.
