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.