Millions of pounds of desperately needed funds are being diverted away from the classroom to deal with the aftermath of attacks on schools, the North's Education Minister Mr Martin McGuinness said today.
The Sinn Féin MLA condemned recent arson attacks and the smashing of windows on Catholic and state run-schools.
Calling for an immediate halt to all acts of vandalism, the minister said his officials were aware of seven arson attacks on schools since the beginning of June.
"There have also been other attacks on schools where windows have been broken - in one case in north Belfast in a controlled school in a quite disgraceful way where hundreds of windows were broken.
"I want to make it clear that I deplore all attacks on all schools. Schools must remain a sanctuary and should not be dragged into community conflict. These acts of vandalism serve no purpose whatsoever and divert financial resources away from the classroom where it is most needed.
"All our children are entitled to the best education that we can provide which includes good, modern and safe schools. Acts of vandalism try to deny them this right and it is the responsibility of everyone in our society to make it clear that these attacks are totally and absolutely unacceptable."
The minister said his department did not have details as to the cost of repairs to the schools which had been recently attacked. But he acknowledged: "Such attacks put further pressure on funds with the increased need for security measures in schools.
PA