Today’s Budget does nothing to reverse the damage that several years of austerity cuts have inflicted on the education system, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has said.
Speaking today, TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann said:
‘The Budget leaves the public education system treading water, despite the positive spin. Schools and colleges will continue to struggle to offer a frontline service to all students in the wake of several years of austerity cuts.
We welcome any increase in teacher numbers, yet today’s announcement must be put in its proper context as a measure that only takes account of changing demographics. Put simply, the school-going population is increasing sharply and more teachers are needed. TUI estimates that 3,700 additional full-time teachers will be required at second level over the next decade just to maintain the current teacher pupil ratio.
The increase in numbers does nothing to reverse the 2009 worsening of the general pupil teacher ratio from 18:1 to 19:1, the attack in subsequent years on the ratios at Leaving Certificate Vocational and Post Leaving Certificate levels or the 2012 cut in guidance counselling provision.
The €250 increase in the third level student contribution is a further attack on participation, particularly by students from families of modest means, while the reduction in capitation in post-primary schools, Further Education colleges and Higher Education institutions will force schools and colleges into further curtailment of student supports.
The austerity cuts of the last several years have wreaked considerable damage on the educational aspirations of thousands of students and the career prospects of young and newly qualified teachers. Posts have been lost and programmes and supports that benefit the most vulnerable students have been abolished or greatly restricted.
At third level, the strangling effect of the Employment Control Framework has dramatically reduced lecturer numbers at time when student numbers are rising sharply. Relatively speaking, the restoration of €25m to the funding allocation to Higher Education Institutions is paltry and can only be seen as the smallest of steps in the right direction.
Regrettably, the ongoing and slow-release effects of existing cutbacks will continue for at least another year.
Enough is enough.
The corrosive effects of recent cutbacks must be reversed and we must ensure access to a public education service of the highest quality for all students.’