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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Education college chairmen resign | Education college chairmen resign |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Four out of six chairmen in the newly merged further education colleges have resigned in a row over workload and lack of pay, the BBC has learned. | Four out of six chairmen in the newly merged further education colleges have resigned in a row over workload and lack of pay, the BBC has learned. |
| One resigned within months, one left in June and two more stepped down on Thursday, after spending two years setting up the new bodies. | One resigned within months, one left in June and two more stepped down on Thursday, after spending two years setting up the new bodies. |
| When the posts were created, the chairmen expected to attend between eight to 10 meetings per year. | |
| However, those appointed said they went to 80 meetings every year for no pay. | However, those appointed said they went to 80 meetings every year for no pay. |
| The application form said the department was considering paying them for the work, but two years later none have received any money. | The application form said the department was considering paying them for the work, but two years later none have received any money. |
| Now only one of the original chairpersons remain, one has died and four have resigned. | Now only one of the original chairpersons remain, one has died and four have resigned. |
| Pat O'Kane, chairman of the South West college covering Tyrone and Fermanagh, said he was committed to the idea of the new colleges, but the workload and responsibility was too heavy. | Pat O'Kane, chairman of the South West college covering Tyrone and Fermanagh, said he was committed to the idea of the new colleges, but the workload and responsibility was too heavy. |
| "We have indicated to the department on an ongoing basis that given the workload we considered it should be remunerated," Mr O'Kane said. | |
| "They agreed with us and said that they would actively pursue the case. As we stand today that has not happened." | |
| Another former chairman said the Department of Employment and learning had broken its promises over paying for the work. | Another former chairman said the Department of Employment and learning had broken its promises over paying for the work. |
| The Department of Employment and Learning said it could not comment on why the chairmen had resigned. | The Department of Employment and Learning said it could not comment on why the chairmen had resigned. |
| It said it was actively exploring the possibility of offering a salary for the job and that it would be advertising for replacements. | It said it was actively exploring the possibility of offering a salary for the job and that it would be advertising for replacements. |