put young peoples’ life opportunities at risk - TUI case studies show increased cost of education
(15 Apr 2009)
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland today outlined how average families will be hit financially by the various education cutbacks, most of which do not become effective until the start of the next school year.
Comments from TUI Education and Research Officer Bernie Judge:
Comments from TUI Education and Research Officer Bernie Judge:
“The series of cuts set out in October 2008 ranging from increased pupil teacher ratios to withdrawal of programme and subject grants and significant reduction in provision for substitution throw education back 50 years, at the stroke of a pin to when only the privileged could enjoy fair and easy access and be confident of opportunities to complete second level education and progression to third level. “
“The question that has been repeatedly asked loud and clear is ‘why should services to our young people be sagely attacked and diminished while developers and bankers who got rich on the backs of the average worker are let off the hook and bailed out?’
“The price paid by some of our young people will be with them for a long time, in some instances forever, as they are deprived of supports in school to assist completion and achievement. Lifetime employment and earning opportunities will be irretrievably damaged and the cost to the state will be infinitely higher than most people expect. Low education achievement at a young age reduces participation in adult education and in any event will lead to higher costs for the state as adult basic education measures try to compensate for what schools were not resourced adequately to deliver – a strong basic education to young people. “
“TUI members work in schools and colleges in the VEC sector and Community and Comprehensive schools. These schools have a long history of being the primary providers of education to students from families in the lower socio economic groups and from communities that experience high levels of social exclusion. Affirming the findings of research carried out by the TUI in the aftermath of the October budget delegates highlighted that students’ education opportunities and quality of service will be sacrificed if the measures set out in the October budget are not overturned.”
These risks are reflected in what will happen in schools from September:
• Class sizes will be larger denying students the benefit of individual support, much need by many students to reach their potential
• Subject options will be cut denying students access to the range of subject choice and in many case the opportunity to consider taking a higher level paper – cutting off longer term career and further study options is some areas
• Extra curricular activities that have so much to offer in term of personal growth and the development of social skills will have to be drastically curtailed. Teachers desire to continue to support such measures was strong and Mary Ryan (Co Dublin) highlighted that these were so essential to student development and indeed teacher job satisfaction which is essential to maintain moral and maintain a healthy school environment. It is with great reluctance teachers will withdraw but they may be left with no option from a health and safety point of view a healthy reluctance
It is noted with anger that schools who charge fees will be able to use their private fees to ensure continued provision of the additional subject choices and extra curricular activities while they remain cushioned from the savage attack on education services.
Clearly the Government fails to appreciate the social and cultural deficit too many young people experience as they try to negotiate their way through the education system as it currently constructed (shaped largely by middle class values and aspirations).
TUI was especially appalled at the measure to withdraw school book aid from most schools. This measure was described as the most cruel and unwarranted of measures denying students fair access to the most critical tools of education.
All in all what struck people as most unfair is the lack of courage shown by the Department and the cowardly manner in which cost of education are being transferred to schools and parents. A school of 400 will lose between €17,000 and €20,000 from the withdrawal of grant aid and will only gain about €4, 500 from the increase in the capitation grant per student. The additional costs of education will ultimately in one way or another be borne by parents and young people – sadly for some the burden will be very high and some schools will be more restricted, by the nature of where they are located and the population they serve, than others in how they can respond.
Case studies
Family A
Lone Parent with 2 children.
Income limit over medical card threshold and not entitled to third level grant
Living in small rural community
Two children – one starting second level school and one staring third level
Additional Costs to be incurred
Third level registration fee up from €900 to €1,500 €600
School transport up from €168 to €300 €132
School Books up by €200
(may have had access to rental scheme last year
To the value of €100 but overall cost is around €300)
Levies due to withdrawal of subject grants €100
Total increase in cost of education €1,032
Family B
2 Parents, 4 Children
Living in small urban community, income level over medical card limit but not entitled to third level grant
One child already in third level and one starting third level
One child going into Leaving Certificate and one starting Junior Certificate
Third level registration fee up from €900 to €1,500 €1,200
School Books up by
(had access to rental scheme last year to the value of
€100 per child but overall cost of books for Junior Cert
Averages at €250 per annum and averages for Leaving Cert
at €300 per annum- significant new books required
due to subject options) € 350
Levies due to withdrawal of subject grants
New cost to be borne by parent to support activities,
Materials, field trips – average estimated at €100 per year € 200
Total increase in cost of education €1,750