Cash-strapped schools turn to charities for help

ALMOST half of second-level schools are forced to ask for handouts from charity organisations including St Vincent de Paul to help less well-off students because they are so poorly funded, research has found.

In a survey of 193 schools on educational disadvantage, 86 said they have asked the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) for help with students who cannot afford uniforms or books.

Schools also reported that they sought funding from religious charities attached to their schools, community associations, businesses and other local organisations.