AQW 4669/16-21
Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford
Tabled Date: 05/10/2016
Answered On Date: 20/10/2016
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to outline the policies and training his Department has and delivers for principal teachers and Board of Governors in relation to budget managament.
Answer:
The policies which the Department has in place for Boards of Governors in relation to budget management are contained in the Financial Guides which have been established for the Controlled and Maintained schools (Guidance on Financial and Management Arrangements for Controlled and Maintained Schools Funded under the Common Funding Scheme), Voluntary Grammar schools (Financial & Audit Arrangements Manual for Voluntary Grammar Schools) and Grant-Maintained Integrated schools (Financial & Audit Arrangements for Grant-Maintained Integrated Schools). Each Guide sets out the arrangements and conditions for the payment of grant by the Department, and the financial responsibilities of Boards of Governors in ensuring that monies from grant payments are used appropriately and within the guidance provided. The Education Authority provides training on an annual basis to both Boards of Governors and first time Principals in relation to budget management. The Education Authority’s 2016/17 training programme for members of Boards of Governors includes a training course entitled Financial Management and Accountability. The Authority has also developed a one day training programme for first time Principals which covers local management of schools, financial planning and management, budget management and internal audit. In addition, those teachers seeking to become Principals can avail of the Professional Qualification for Headship, which includes a module on “managing school finances”. Guidance is also contained in Chapter 8 of ‘Every School a Good School – The Governor’s Role’, which is published on my Department’s website. This explains how schools are funded and sets out the main responsibilities of the Board of Governors and the Principal in relation to the management of school finances. The Educational television website – http://www.esags.tv/ - also hosts a short programme on school finances.
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