Opposition vows to tackle education disadvantage
Following his appointment as Fine Gael education spokesman on Wednesday, Brian Hayes said this week’s OECD Education at a Glance report highlighted how far behind other countries Ireland has fallen in terms of investment.
“While funding has been increased in recent years, we must ensure that continues and expands despite any economic slowdown,” he said.
The Dublin South-West TD replaces Olwyn Enright in the position and has knowledge of education issues from his training as a second-level teacher and a member of the Oireachtas Education Committee for five years up to 2002.
“The basics have not been put in place over the last 10 years, but planning must be streamlined to get new schools up and running in developing areas much quicker. The Government has completely failed to provide the necessary education infrastructure, which has led to situations we’ve seen around Dublin in recent weeks,” Mr Hayes said.
He also plans to address the issue of school patronage which has become the subject of major debate recently, with the Catholic Church defending its record of schools provision.
“The churches have been very successful up to now, but new schools must reflect the modern multi-ethnic and multi-faith Ireland.”
Labour Party education spokesman Ruairi Quinn also questioned the planning record of the Department of Education and said greater collaboration is required between local authorities and schools in their areas as the current system has failed.
“The Government must also address the education system itself, making sure every school is properly resourced and principals and teachers are not tied down by so much paperwork.”
The former Labour Party leader and finance minister said greater concentration must be placed on helping children reach their potential from their earliest days at school. “There is focus on third level participation rates among lower socio-economic groups, but the problem is keeping kids at school up to Junior Certificate and beyond, which has not been achieved despite various disadvantage schemes.
“The Government also needs to give third level colleges more money for teaching and learning, for which spending has fallen despite the deserved investment in higher education research and innovation.”
