Education spend per person is third highest in OECD

Ireland spends more on each person in education than most countries but teacher unions say the system remains poorly funded.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said Ireland’s per-student investment of just under €9,250 compares with an average €7,463 in all member countries, and €6,770 in 21 EU states in the OECD.

The figure is third-highest behind the US and Canada, but it varies significantly between levels of education.

The €6,600 spent on each primary pupil was barely above the OECD average and 14th-highest of 33 countries. Our spend of €8,900 per student at second level in 2011 was 24% higher than the OECD average and the organisation’s ninth-highest.

The figure of almost €12,500 spent on each third-level student, when research and development investment is included, was also well above average, bringing total spending here at all levels to 11th-highest in 30 countries.

But the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation pointed out that the 6.2% of GDP, a measure of national income, spent on education was far below Scandinavian countries where it is close to 9%.

The figure is 18th-highest in 37 countries with a comparable measure.

Although this 2011 rate is up from 5.6% in 2008, the Department of Education admits economic contraction in intervening years explains some of the increase.

It has, nonetheless, maintained the proportion of all public spending on education just above the OECD average at 13.1%.

INTO general secretary Sheila Nunan said it is unacceptable that third-level funding was double that for primary pupils and called for greater equalisation between different education sectors.

“Education ministers are keen to point to successful models of education in Finland and other northern European countries in terms of literacy and numeracy.

“This report shows that educational success needs government investment.”

Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland general secretary Pat King said it is essential the worst of education cuts are reversed now the Government says the country has “turned the corner”.