The Minister for Education’s call for schools to ease the financial burden on parents is tone deaf and ignores the financial reality facing schools across the country, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins.
The Dublin South Central TD said, “Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton’s suggestion that schools should sort out their own policies on pupil laptops is completely unhelpful and does nothing to support schools and families who are struggling.”
“Families are under pressure and the cost of education is a growing concern for parents. But shifting responsibility onto schools is not a solution. Schools are already struggling.”
Cummins said, “many schools are operating under severe financial pressure, dealing with rising costs while trying to provide supports, resources and opportunities for students with limited funding. School leaders have repeatedly highlighted the strain caused by underfunding and growing operational costs.”
“Even greater burdens cannot be placed on schools as they are already digging deep to keep themselves afloat and provide a high standard of education for their students.”
She said, “there is also a clear contradiction in the government’s position: this is the same Minister who repeatedly defended the decision to reintroduce state examination fees. Parents were told these additional costs were necessary and justified.”
“Now, schools are being told they must absorb more costs and ease the financial pressure on families. That is hypocrisy, pure and simple.”
“The government cannot defend increasing costs for families on one hand while asking schools to solve the problem on the other. If the Minister is serious about reducing pressures on school communities, then the response must be meaningful investment in education.
“Schools need increased funding, stronger capitation grants and greater supports to meet the demands already being placed on them. As well as enforcing the 2017 circular regarding generic uniforms and banning ‘so called’ voluntary contributions, providing financial support for education technology would go a long way in helping families with the cost of back-to-school this September.”