Quinn: I can’t force schools to help cut parents’ bills

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn insists he does not have power to force schools into moves that would reduce parents’ bills on books, uniforms and other education costs.

He was responding to suggestions that he use laws or regulations to require policies such as freedom to use generic uniforms, to limit changes to school books, and to restrict pressure on parents for funding.

The latest Barnardos Back to School Survey this week revealed that, although expenses are similar to last year, Mr Quinn’s efforts to have schools do more about these issues are having little or no effect.

Books, uniforms, so-called voluntary contributions and other expenses are costing €400 for the average fourth-class pupil and almost €800 for a child starting second level, but State support through the back to school clothing and footwear allowance was cut €50 per child this year to €100 each for those of primary school ages and €200 for older students.

National Parents’ Council-Post Primary president Don Myers said schools have most responsibility for costs, but they could be pushed to do more to assist families.

“I do think the minister needs to be a bit tougher on these things, he needs to come out stronger,” he said.

“He has done it on reform of the junior cycle, or the CAO and the points system, which is outside his control also, but he has pushed for changes there that are starting to happen.”

However, he also agreed with the case made by secondary school managers that investing tens of thousands of euro on books for rental schemes might not always be prudent, as curriculum reforms could render titles useless in a couple of years.

Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald said parents are under enormous pressure but Mr Quinn can and should take immediate measures to help ease it.

“The minister has it in his gift to legislate so that schools’ boards of management are obliged to ease up on uniforms, for example,” she said.

Mr Quinn is expected to announce statutory regulations in the autumn, placing strict obligations on schools around the area of admissions and enrolment. But he told journalists in Glenties, Co Donegal, he does not have the same authority when it comes to changing policies on school costs, although he plans moves to give parents greater input into schools’ policies.

“There is a way it can be done and that it is to encourage the National Parents’ Council and the boards of management to raise these issues,” he said.