Parents and communities cover education fund shortfall

THE extent to which parents and local communities fund vital services to the country’s schools is highlighted in dozens of inspection reports published by the Department of Education yesterday.

The whole school evaluation reports of 24 primary schools and 11 second-level schools all highlight the fundraising carried out to complement public funding received for buildings, staff and teaching resources.

The reports are based on visits to the schools by the department’s own inspectors earlier this year and can be viewed on the department website (www.education.ie).

Money raised by the school board and the parents’ association of Scoil Mháthair Dé in Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick, has funded additional teachers of French and German, basketball, music and dancing.

The Mercy order donated a building to the school last year, which the board converted, with its own funds, into rooms for learning support and resource teachers.

The inspection report for Scoil Naomh Éanna in Bullaun, Loughrea, Co Galway states that fundraising events contribute substantially to school finances: “Parents assist with maintenance, concerts, book fairs, sporting events, Green Flag activities and the swimming programme.”

At St Louis Secondary School in Monaghan town, the school depends on funding from the County Monaghan Partnership development body for a home school community liaison co-ordinator, to help improve the participation of some students.

In addition, the school funds an extra seven hours a week of guidance counselling because it is only allocated 30 hours for guidance by the Department of Education.

The impact of last week’s announcement that the department’s Summer Works Scheme is to be discontinued is also highlighted.

With investment being focused on large building projects next year, Education Minister Mary Hanafin said the scheme which funded more than 3,000 maintenance and repair projects in recent years is to be ended.

But there could be knock-on effects for schools like Ballinrobe Community School in Mayo where, the scheme funded the first phases of a roof replacement project last year and this year.

The school may now have to seek private funding or ask parents to contribute.

The inspectors’ report states that the school should also refurbish or extend its changing rooms where only 10 students can change and just two can shower at a time, and where privacy is inadequate.