We need to learn lesson and reduce energy bills in our schools

JUST when the Mammies and Daddies’ pockets have stopped hurting from the new shoes, new clothes and new books, they are faced with paying “voluntary” donations to our schools.

Barnardos says the average “voluntary” contribution requested by schools has gone up by between a half and a third to about €100 per child. It’s not surprising, considering the “capitation grant” paid in respect of all students in State schools was slashed by 3½% in February, backdated to January.

Some €178 per primary schoolkid for all the rubbers and pencils and art materials, as well as the heat and light and power running through all those computers and all those whiteboards. How on earth are schools meant to manage? They could. If they cut their energy use.