Schools should be more open to public, says Hanafin

SCHOOLS should provide more access to local communities outside class hours if they are to receive extra funding, said Education Minister Mary Hanafin.

She was responding to claims that the country’s 406 voluntary second level schools - mostly owned by religious orders - receive less State support than those in the vocational, community and comprehensive sectors.

In its pre-budget submission, the Joint Managerial Body (JMB) representing boards of these schools said they have to pay soaring insurance premiums and other running costs out of their per-pupil allocation from the Department of Education. The 337 schools in the other sectors, however, are covered by the State’s public liability insurance and receive separate funding for operational expenses such as caretakers and secretarial assistance.