Falling budgets see class resources cut

Primary pupils may have less access to new learning materials as dwindling funds are being used to pay rising bills.

As more than 1,000 school leaders head for their annual conference today, the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) said almost one in five who it surveyed believe classroom resources may have to be cut because of falling budgets.

The latest cuts will see an average-sized 150-pupil primary school’s Government funding for running costs — such as heating, electricity, insurance and teaching materials — fall by over €1,000 to below €27,500 from the next school year. By September 2015, it will be almost down to €26,000, €4,000 less than in 2008.

The Department of Education is cutting grants to schools for these costs by 6% over the next four school years, starting with a 2% cut in September. Mr Quinn says the capitation grant of €183 that will be paid to primary schools for every pupil is higher than the €178.58 paid just five years ago.

However, IPPN says most schools are worse off than before the recession.

Of 680 principals who responded to its recent survey, 60% of their schools have suffered financially through a combination of State funding cuts and a drop in voluntary contributions from parents.

Asked where any shortfalls should be met or who should be asked to pay outstanding bills, one-in-four principals said parents should be asked for additional contributions.

Another 18% said teachers should be asked to cut back on learning resources, while 8% said invoices should be forwarded to the school’s patron.

However, IPPN director Seán Cottrell said the generosity of parents had already kept schools running, particularly small schools which feared being forced to merge, as they think the department does not consider them financially viable.

“The recession has brought about a perfect storm of declining voluntary contributions and Government funding, and rising utility and supplies costs, leaving many schools deep in debt,” he said.

IPPN president Gerry Murphy said schools could be helped stay in budget if the Government exempted them from paying VAT as they are not-for-profit organisations.

“The measure would save schools at least €12,000, with even greater savings for larger schools,” he said.

A department spokesperson said VAT policy was a matter for Finance Minister Michael Noonan. However, she said, while capitation rates were being cut to reflect cuts across department spending, other grants for support staff, higher funding for disadvantaged schools and book grants are not being cut.