THE young students at Stanhope Street Primary School could have been forgiven for being a bit overwhelmed on their first day back at school last week.
Not only did they have a visit from An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, but his Ministers for Education and Employment, Richard Bruton and Regina Doherty, also dropped in to say ‘hi’. Naturally, the political bigwigs came with an agenda, which was to highlight investment in Education.
Money is now being spent on over 2,800 extra teachers, including 900 extra resource teachers and 100 extra guidance posts, and there’s additional support for children with special educational needs with over 1,000 newly created SNA positions, as well as the 900 extra resource teachers.
Almost 110 schools are getting more help to tackle educational disadvantage and then there’s that 25 per cent increase in the Back To School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.
Speaking to the pupils, staff and teachers at Stanhope Street Primary School, An Taoiseach said it was a big day in Ireland with over a million people heading back to classrooms across the country.
"To all those involved – students, parents, teachers, volunteers, everyone – I want to thank you for the contribution you've making in educating our young people and for doing it with such passion and diligence,” he added.
“So much of the Government support, over 11 per cent of our total spending every year, is dedicated to pre-school, primary and second level education, and rightly so.
“I want to wish everyone good luck as they start this school year.”
