Falling family incomes add to cutback effects

The falling incomes of families across the social divide is adding to the effects of cuts to education services in schools.

A survey of over 140 schools and colleges for the Teachers’ Union of Ireland found reduced Government funding and staffing cuts already impact highly on students with special needs, Traveller pupils or international students.

TUI education officer Bernie Judge said members are seeing more instances of students being unable to pay for trips on co-curricular activities, such as geography field trips or visits to historical sites.