U-turn on funding commitment to further education sector

THE increased funding to widen services for more than 30,000 further education sector students has been put on hold because of the economic downturn.

A draft agreement between the Department of Education, teacher unions and the Vocational Education Committees, which operate further education colleges, would have given about €4 million — or 25% — extra each year for day-to-day running of the sector.

The deal, revealed by the Irish Examiner in July, would have allowed colleges provide extra library services, science labs, equipment, support staff, teachers and career guidance. Revised management positions would also have been created for the further education colleges, which are funded and staffed in the same way as second-level schools.