Loss of guidance service ‘will increase inequality’

The possible loss of guidance services in schools will increase inequality in Irish education, the body representing guidance counsellors has claimed.

Under plans announced in the budget last December, the inclusion of guidance counselling within overall teacher allocations is likely to cut at least 500 teachers from the country’s 730 second-level schools from September. This will force schools to choose between reducing the availability of guidance counsellors to students, removing or reducing the availability of some subjects, or a mix of both.

In a letter to schools last month, the Department of Education said the move will extend schools’ autonomy in how they use staffing.