Concern has been voiced over the condition of schools across Northern Ireland as a primary in Londonderry closed ahead of urgent remedial work on the roof.
The Education Authority (EA) confirmed that Nazareth House Primary School has temporarily closed following an investigatory assessment of roofing structures at the school premises.
In October, the Stormont Assemblyâs Public Accounts Committee raised concern over the maintenance of schools across Northern Ireland, with the repairs bill estimated to be âup to ÂŁ800 millionâ.
It called for an âurgent, system-wide reform of the schoolsâ estate management and maintenanceâ following an inquiry into managing the schools estate.
Responding then, Education Minister Paul Givan said the system is facing a âcapital funding crisis that must be addressed without delayâ.
In a statement on Wednesday, the EA said it is âurgently prioritising remedial worksâ to allow Nazareth House Primary School to reopen as soon as possible.
âThis is unfortunately the latest example of childrenâs education being disrupted due to deterioration in the school estate,â a spokesperson said.
âWe are deeply concerned at the growing school maintenance and repair backlog across NI due to lack of funding for the education sector.
âAs a result of current budgetary restrictions, we are only able to carry out emergency maintenance works.
âThis is an increasingly unsustainable position.
âWithout significantly increased levels of funding, school buildings will continue to decline, increasing the potential for further disruption to classes.â
