Cuts threaten Young Scientists

TEACHERS have warned that students might be unable to take part in the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in January because government cutbacks will mean schools cannot pay a substitute for teachers to bring them to the event.

The organisers announced at the weekend that a record 1,616 projects, submitted by 3,700 students north and south, have been entered, up 14% on last year. Around 500 projects will be selected for the exhibition at the RDS in Dublin from January 6 to 10.

However, the ban on substitute cover for second-level schools, except for maternity and certified sick leave, announced by Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe in the budget comes into effect on the same week.