To ask the Minister of Education when the Education Authority will appoint a new contractor to deliver the EdIS Strategic Partner and School Management System contract.

The Education Authority are currently planning for a new procurement process to appoint a new contractor to deliver Strategic Partner services to schools. The aim is to complete the procurement process and award of contract by March 2027.

Continuity of services to schools will be provided by the incumbent managed services provider, Capita, under its existing contract i.e. Education Network Northern Ireland, which will be extended until 31 March 2027.

The Schools Management System (SMS) element of the SPSMS, provided by a sub-contractor (Bromcom) to Fujitsu, was novated from Fujitsu to the EA. Therefore there is no requirement to procure this element of the contract. The development of the Bromcom SMS is ongoing and it is anticipated the replacement SMS will begin full implementation in schools in May 2025.