Ireland bottom of the class for investment in education

LESS of the country’s wealth is being spent on schools and colleges than a decade ago, a major report reveals.

While the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) report shows government spending on education has grown more than in most developed countries, it is still below average.

The rise in education spending per student between 1995 and 2004 is higher than in most other countries. Spending per student rose by 26% for third level, restricted by an almost 50% rise in student numbers. Per-student spending in primary, second level and further education rose by 81%.