Storm Chandra exposes ‘unfit for purpose’ school closure system, says Jon Burrows MLA

Ulster Unionist education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA

As Northern Ireland begins to recover from the widespread disruption caused by Storm Chandra, renewed criticism has been levelled at the Department of Education over its handling of school closures during severe weather events.

The storm brought significant challenges across the region, including power cuts, flooding and travel disruption, with more than 346 schools forced to close in response to weather warnings.

In the aftermath, Ulster Unionist education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA has called for urgent reform, describing the current approach to school closures as fragmented and unsustainable.

Mr Burrows said he has written directly to the Education Minister to express “serious concerns” about the lack of central coordination, warning that responsibility for critical safety decisions is being placed almost entirely on individual schools.

“As Northern Ireland recovers from the widespread disruption caused by Storm Chandra, the Department of Education has once again demonstrated poor leadership and coordination,” he said.

“With more than 346 schools closed in response to severe weather warnings, I have written directly to the Education Minister to express serious concerns over the chaotic and fragmented process for school closures.”

The Ulster Unionist MLA said he had been contacted by principals across Northern Ireland who expressed frustration at being left to make difficult decisions without clear guidance or strategic support from the Department.

“Principals across the region have contacted me in frustration, highlighting that critical safety decisions for pupils and staff are being left entirely to individual schools, without clear strategic direction or support from the Department,” he said.

According to Mr Burrows, the absence of a coordinated approach led school leaders to rely on informal networks to manage the situation.

“In the absence of central guidance, school leaders resorted to informal coordination such as regional WhatsApp groups and even higher education institutions issued advance notices,” he said.

“This ad-hoc approach, while understandable, is unsustainable and places an unfair burden on overstretched principals.”

Beyond the pressures on school leaders, Mr Burrows highlighted the knock-on impact on families, particularly parents struggling to arrange childcare or work commitments at short notice.

“I am not blaming the Minister for the weather, but the current system is no longer fit for purpose,” he said.

“Parents deserve timely, consistent clarity to arrange childcare and work, rather than last-minute uncertainty.”

He has urged the Department of Education to take greater responsibility during future severe weather events, including making centralised decisions where appropriate for specific geographical areas.

“I have urged the Department to take responsibility for centralised decisions in future severe weather events even if they are for certain geographical areas in NI, easing pressure on school leaders and better supporting families,” he added. “I will continue pressing for this essential reform.”

Storm Chandra has once again reignited debate around how Northern Ireland responds to extreme weather and whether existing systems are equipped to provide clarity, consistency and reassurance to schools, parents and pupils alike.