Teachers warn over building cutbacks

SPENDING cuts which would delay promised building projects for schools will cause huge anger and great frustration, teachers have warned.

While the Department of Education is tightlipped about spending plans being announced in today’s Estimates, strong speculation suggests the schools building programme could be put on hold.

The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) has promised to be a voice for tens of thousands of children who might be affected if building projects are shelved. It has dozens of sub-standard schools on a list of buildings in need of refurbishment or replacement.

“A cutback in funding that results in promised building projects being delayed or postponed will cause huge anger and great frustration among parents, teachers and the general public.

“Investment in education must not be cut to solve short-term and self-made financial difficulties,” said INTO general secretary John Carr.

He said many of the primary teachers who are introducing a curriculum for the new millennium are working in schools designed for the 1800s, never mind the 1900s.

The Labour Party called on the Government to exempt the schools’ building programme from spending cutbacks, and suggested borrowing should be pursued if necessary for capital investment in schools.

“Any rowing-back on pre-election promises on schools would represent another in a litany of con jobs by the Government since the election,” said Labour’s education spokesperson, Jan O’Sullivan.

Knockanore National School in Waterford was one of hundreds on a list of schools at architectural planning stage, published by the Government weeks before the election. But principal Eleanor Ronayne said a letter they received from the Department of Education indicated they have no plans for them in the foreseeable future.

“We were delighted before the election to think things were moving ahead, but now there’s no time scale so we don’t know when we’re going to get our extension,” she said.

Ardfield National School in West Cork, one of the country’s oldest, is described by board of management member Tim Feen as Victorian.

“We’ve been told there would be minor works grants available. That would be like putting on a bandage where major surgery is needed,” said Mr Feen, a parent at the school.

The Department of Education has refused to comment on any cases, including those schools which are already promised funding, until the Estimates are published this afternoon.