| “In its submission to the Review Team at the end of September, the SELB suggested that a new curriculum and teacher support body should not be established separately from other education support services.
“It is encouraging that account has been taken of this submission, reflected in the announcement that a new single Education Authority will incorporate curriculum and teacher support functions.
“The SELB also stated that both the library service and youth service should remain under the same umbrella as education. The
announcement that youth services administration is to be placed within the new Education Authority, as are the functions of the Youth Council, is to be welcomed. We welcome the Minister’s statement that in planning library service delivery, consideration is to be given to the links between school and public library provision and wider opportunities for shared service provision.
“The changes will impact upon staff in all parts of the education service. In its response to the Review, the SELB stated that the success of any large scale reorganisation exercise required the effective management and redeployment of those responsible for delivering the service – the employees.
“The Board argued for the need for the establishment of a public services commission. The commitment by the Secretary of State to address the concerns of employees in the public sector and his plans to establish an independent advisory public sector commission to ensure the smooth transfer of staff to new organisations are to be welcomed.
“The SELB will continue to deliver high quality services to the community it serves as it moves towards the new arrangements.”
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