Primary school principals fear being unable to heat schools, survey finds

 Education Minister Norma Foley has previously indicated that the next tranche of funding is expected to be issued during the current school year. Picture: Leah Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Primary school principals are warning that they are grappling with a looming financial crisis, as a new survey finds that many expect not to have enough funds for essential school operations such as heating.

A survey carried out by the National Principals’ Forum, a grassroots lobby group of more than 1,200 practicing primary school principals, has found many share concerns over schools not being able to run through the winter.

More than seven out of ten (73%) of the principals surveyed expect not to have enough funds for essential school operations, even with the possible renewal of the Government’s one-off cost of living grant.

Just 35% of the 500 principals surveyed deemed this one-off cost of living grant ‘adequate’.

A further 95% of the principals surveyed indicated that last year’s slashed ICT grant has impaired their capability to execute digital learning initiatives for the current academic year. There has been no funding issued to schools since late 2021 for ICT grants.

Education Minister Norma Foley has previously indicated that the next tranche of funding is expected to be issued during the current school year. However, the issuing of the grant is subject to the availability of exchequer funding and the “wider capital needs of the Department.”

According to the National Principals Forum, these concerns of principals are not new. "Historically, the underfunding of the capitation grant has been a concern, with schools obtaining less than €1 per pupil daily for all expenditures encompassing electricity, heating, and other utilities." 

"Despite the ongoing cost of living crisis, the Department of Education's response in terms of funding adjustments has been inadequate."

Reports from principals nationwide signal alarmingly low school account balances, with many anxious about heating their schools during colder months.

Special Schools face even greater challenges, as past financial strains from surging insurance costs are still being felt.

All special school principals surveyed reported feeling apprehensive about maintaining standard operations, let alone managing specialised training costs. "Training expenses must be Government-funded," said Karen Byrne, principal of St Michael's House Special National School in Skerries.

The ICT grant, originally scheduled for April 2023, failed to materialise according to the National Principals Forum, leaving numerous schools in contractual limbo. "Furthermore, the discontinuation of the cleaning grant has begun affecting school hygiene standards."

One principal who took part in the survey was Anne Marie Griffin of Sessiaghneill NS in Ballybofey, Co Donegal. The school enrolled 51 children living in Direct Provision in November 2022 but has yet to receive any funding from the Department of Education.

This has led them to seek a €20,000 loan from their parish to remain operational.

The National Principals’ Forum's 2024 Budget Lobby Campaign is advocating for "fair and equitable funding to ensure schools can aptly cover their foundational, insurance, ICT, and administrative expenses."