Hundreds of pupils march against budget cuts

HUNDREDS of secondary school students, teachers and parents took to the streets of Waterford to protest against the Government’s education cuts.

The march was organised by four secondary pupils from across the city and young people from several schools in Waterford turned up in solidarity with their colleagues.

Among the concerns voiced by the protesters included speculation that more than 1,000 teaching posts could be lost across the country because of the increase in the pupil teacher ratio.

They are also worried about the withdrawal of substitution arrangements and its effect both on the availability of qualified teachers to teach classes and on schools trying to organise study visits and field work.

Banners were seen across John Roberts Square throughout the protest, after a march along Military Road, urged Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe and his government colleagues to reverse the budget measures.

“We must remember the words said by Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan, when he introduced ‘our’ budget: We must protect the most vulnerable in society,” said organiser, Annabel Higgins, from the platform.

“We should be absolutely ashamed that this is happening, and our message today, to the Minister for Finance, to the Minister for Education, to the Taoiseach and to the entire population of Ireland is: We are not about to let you sell out our futures.”

Another organiser and student speaker, Ciara Buckley, said it was “truly shameful” that “we, a supposedly civilised nation are having to fight for our right to be educated”.

Both Ciara, 17, and Annabel, 16, are members of the youth democracy project Comhairle na nÓg and, according to Sue Larkin of Comhairle, worked “flat out” to make the protest a success, because of the strength of feeling about the education cuts.

The organisers of the event were from the Mercy Convent, Presentation Convent, St Paul’s Community College, and Abbey Community College, while primary teachers lent their support through the INTO union who notified their members in advance.

Speakers included mayor of Waterford, Cllr Jack Walsh, independent councillor Mary Roche, with Annabel Higgins and Ciara Buckley.