The heads of Northern Ireland's main education bodies have urged an end to "chronic underfunding".
In a letter to the Northern Ireland secretary, the seven chief executives listed issues they said were affecting education.
Chris Heaton-Harris is in charge of NI's finances and set Stormont's budget as the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) boycott of power sharing continues.
The Department of Education's budget is under significant strain.
In October, the Education Authority said schools in Northern Ireland were expected to be £60m in the red in 2023-24, after the overall education budget was cut.
On Thursday, the chief executives of the seven main education bodies outlined their concerns to Mr Heaton-Harris.
They said they were writing to implore him to "end this cycle" of underfunding and "treat our children and young people equitably".
They cited problems in the sector including ongoing industrial action by staff over pay, inadequate funding for the fabric of the school estate and an increasing demand for support for young people with special educational needs.
"This is having an impact on all those in our schools but specifically the most vulnerable, marginalised and deprived," the letter added.
"In spite of these many pressures, staff right across the education system, both teaching and non-teaching, continue to deliver for our children.
