Teaching unions in Northern Ireland have expressed concerns following the appointment of former DUP MLA Mervyn Storey to a senior education role this week.
Mervyn Storey – who currently serves as a councillor on Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council – was appointed as Chair of the Education Authority (EA) board this week by DUP Education Minister Paul Givan.
The former Stormont minister has served on the board since 2022 after he lost his North Antrim Assembly seat to the Alliance Party’s Patricia O’Lynn.
Ms O’Lynn later resigned her seat, with current incumbent Sian Mulholland co-opted in to replace her.
In appointing Mr Storey, Mr Givan said: “Mervyn Storey brings a wealth of expertise and experience to this role at a critical moment as we seek to transform our education system for the next generation.
“He has a sound understanding of the education landscape and an appreciation of the values that underpin the work of the Authority.”
Mr Storey will take up his new role – which comes with an annual salary in the range of £50,000 plus travel and subsistence allowances in January 2025.
Education Minister Paul Givan
The appointment has given rise to concerns from the NI Teachers Council, the negotiating body for NI’s five recognised teachers’ unions.
In a statement released on Friday, the NITC said a line in Mr Givan’s announcement regarding the Department of Education’s “agenda” required clarification.
Read more
“The Northern Ireland Teachers’ Council (NITC) are concerned as to whose agenda the Minister is referring,” said a spokesperson.
“We share the concerns expressed in other quarters regarding the recent appointments to key positions in the Education sector.
“We in the NITC are committed to working to ensure that all appointments in the education system are fair and equitable, especially in light of legislative change.
“We are requesting an assurance that those in high office are equally committed to these same high standards.”
It comes after Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan said Mr Storey’s political roles called his appointment into question.
“Mr Storey’s previous role as a DUP minister, MLA, and current DUP councillor raises obvious questions for the minister about the appointment,” he said.
“The Education Minister has a responsibility to demonstrate a clear commitment to transparency and independence in the oversight and management of our education system which must serve equally and fairly all sections of our community.
“I will be raising these important questions and concerns at the Education Committee.”
SDLP MLA Cara Hunter said there were questions over the appointment
SDLP MLA and Education spokesperson Cara Hunter said the move raised further questions for the Department following the appointment of Richard Pengelly – husband of Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly – as the EA’s Chief Executive earlier this year.
“This will have people asking about ‘jobs for the boys,” she said.
“It will cause further damage to the public perception about the approach to senior appointments within our public sector.
“I appreciate the efforts of the Minister and staff to get this organisation in order, but we cannot ignore the issues raised by these successive appointments.”
A Department of Education spokesperson said: “The appointment of Mr Mervyn Storey was made following an open, transparent and merit-based competition conducted in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.”