Kerry schools hit by guidance service cuts

Students returning to Kerry’s 27 post-primary schools in September are facing huge guidance service cuts — in some cases up to 80%.

A survey by the Kerry branch of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors has found reductions in guidance will range from 10% to 80%, with the majority of schools facing a drop of 40% to 50%.

Government cutbacks, which bring guidance counselling hours within the overall staff allocation, are forcing school principals and boards of management into making impossible choices when the programmes and timetables are being prepared for the new school year, the branch said.