In a joint statement today – UNESCO World Teachers’ Day – the Presidents of the four teacher unions said investment in education is critical to sustainable economic recovery:
“The theme of UNESCO World Teachers’ Day 2010 ‘Recovery Begins with Teachers’ recognises that education must be central to Ireland’s recovery plan. 
“The recently-published OECD report Education at a Glance states that spending on education is ‘an essential investment’ during this worldwide recession and urges Governments to go for ‘world class’ education systems to ensure long-term economic growth.
“The message is clear. Compromise education and you not only compromise the future life chances of an entire generation, you put economic recovery in jeopardy.
“The same OECD report finds that Ireland’s investment in education as a percentage of GDP is the fourth lowest out of 31 OECD countries. The report is based on 2007 statistics and does not take into account the savage education cuts of the last two years.
 “The Government must ensure education is a key part of a strategy for sustainable economic recovery. This means:

• Education must be protected from further short-sighted budget cuts
• The education cuts must be reversed and the funding and resources taken from schools and third level institutions must be returned
• The Government must commit to an investment plan for the development of a world class education system for Ireland.”

Jack Keane
ASTI President

Hugh Gibbons
IFUT President 

Jim Higgins
INTO President

Bernie Ruane
TUI President