Schoolbook aid cuts ‘to hit poorest families’

Hundreds of students around the country will attend classes without school books next week, according to the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI).

The union is appealing against the removal of school book aid, which has resulted in some teachers being told to prepare for classes next week with no books.

TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin said: “TUI represents teachers in schools in some of the most deprived communities.

“Members are expressing grave concern to us that classroom activities will be severely affected due to the removal of school book aid. “This measure will save the State a meagre €7.5m per annum.

“Some teachers have already been told to be ready for classes with no books and to make alternative arrangements for tuition.”

He added: “We suggest strongly that there should be no syllabus changes while the book grant is suspended. “Pressure should also be exerted by the Department on publishers to avoid the unnecessary production of updated editions.

“Every time there is a syllabus change all previous books for the subject are made redundant and new books are produced by the publishers. This puts impossible pressures on families.”

Article courtesy of The Evening Echo newspaper.