EU report: Grinds system benefits the well-off

GRIND schools and private tuition make up a vast shadow education system that copperfastens the advantages of the privileged, with up to 60% of Ireland’s better-off getting extra schooling for their children.

A report has described this system as a thriving, multibillion-euro industry that is preventing real reforms and improvements in much of the EU.

Up to 45% of students in their Leaving Cert year get private tuition, which is much higher than in Scandinavian countries where it is rare, but much less than in Greece where the figure is as high as 80%.