Charity warns of 'digital divide' as parents unable to afford school devices for children

Parents have also asked for money to pay for expensive uniforms, voluntary contributions and school administration fees as well as charges for mock exams and Transition Year.

The extension of the free school books scheme to cover secondary schools has only led to a 3% decrease in calls, the charity warned due to the high level of other costs.

They contrasted this with the sharp 26% drop in calls seen between 2023 and 2024 when free school books were introduced for primary schools.

Research & Policy Officer with SVP Niamh Dalziel warned: “Parents are cutting back on essentials or going into debt to meet school costs. Chronic underfunding forces schools to rely on families, creating a system that is deeply unequal. 

“While free books are a welcome step, the reality is that education in Ireland is still far from free.” 

The charity called on the Government to address these underlying funding gaps in the upcoming Budget in their pre-budget submission on Monday.

They called for removal of mock exam and correction fees and funding supports for electronic devices in schools where they are mandatory. The reliance on devices is putting “large costs” on families, the charity warned.

Some parents who cannot pay the full up-front cost then pay “a poverty premium” as instalment-payments can add up to a higher final cost. “This is creating a digital divide and it undermines the free school book policy,” SVP warned.

SVP also wants to see the capitation grant increased by 25%. It recommended schools which follow the Department of Education’s guidance on affordable school uniforms be given a 30% grant.

This would all help create “an inclusive education system, removes financial barriers and stigma, and gives every child the chance to thrive,” Ms Dalziel said.