A MAJOR review of the Education Authority (EA) has found it has shown aspects of a "dysfunctional culture" and must do more to make education services "more child centric".
It the first major investigation into the EA's role and performance since it was established in 2015, it was found that the authority is driven by "process" rather than the needs of pupils and schools.
The report states that the EA was "not effective" and limited in its engagement with schools.
The review was commissioned by the Department of Education and compiled by business advisory firm Baker Tilly Mooney Moore.
Key issues highlighted include the need for EA to improve communications and responsiveness, to better meet the expectations of its many stakeholders and the importance of making education services more child-centric.
It makes 13 recommendations focusing on the themes of the future form, function and financing of the EA, improvements required to support organisational effectiveness and governance, accountability and relationships which will support future EA effectiveness.
The report contains many criticisms but did, however, say the organisation had begun to become more effective and change in recent years.
Education Minister Michelle McIlveen said: "While the report identifies that some progress has been made within the EA, it is clear that more needs to be done.
"My department is fully committed to working with the EA to progress the issues identified in the report, and to shape the continuing improvement of the organisation.
"Officials in the department and the EA are already developing implementation plans, informed by the report’s recommendations, to respond to the issues raised."
EA chief executive Sara Long said it would "consider it in full and to respond positively and constructively to the recommendations".
"The review highlights the context and challenges faced from the merging of five boards into a new Education Authority in 2015; recognises the improvement journey the EA has been on since then; and identifies a number of areas where further progress can be made," she said.
She said there are "numerous opportunities for improvement that this report will help to inform".
"There is a need to improve communications and responsiveness; to better meet the expectations of EA’s many stakeholders; and to continue to make our services more child-centred."
