An umbrella group of education unions is mounting a major pre-Budget protest tomorrow to call for more public funding.

THE leaders of the country’s three school teacher unions have called on Education Minister Mary Hanafin to reduce the size of classes at primary and second level.

SCHOOLCHILDREN are the target of a new safety campaign to warn them of the danger of playing in areas around construction sites.

The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) and the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) have launched a campaign to remind primary school children of the dangers of playing on building sites.

TEACHERS have demanded urgent action to tackle educational disadvantage in schools, to include smaller classes and pay incentives for school staff in poorer areas.

A SHORTAGE of sports facilities in thousands of primary schools is contributing to a fitness crisis among children, parents warned last night.

SMALLER classes and more access to early education are urgently needed to increase literacy levels among children in poorer areas, the Irish National Teachers Organisation said yesterday.