Underfunding of education leaves vulnerable children continuing to experience inequality, charities say
'The current situation is leaving parents who cannot afford it to fill the income gap in our State schools, and also leaves children and young people to continue to experience inequality in the very system that is supposed to be their pathway out of poverty and to successful lives.'
The Government has been urged to order an independent review of the cost of running State education schools amid claims children continue to experience inequality in the very system supposed to be their pathway out of poverty.
The Society of St Vincent de Paul, Barnardos and the National Parents Council have also said they are seeking a meeting with the Education Minister Norma Foley in advance of the upcoming budget to discuss their calls.
Citing a recent OECD report that suggested Ireland spends the least on education compared with 33 other countries by GDP, they said concerns around underfunding in education continued to persist.
In a letter to Ms Foley, the three organisations said there was a need for a “deeper understanding” and “better transparency” on the true cost of running State education, as their funding structure continues to be inadequate.
They said this was particularly the case for schools whose pupils’ family financial situation was difficult.
“The current situation is leaving parents who cannot afford it to fill the income gap in our State schools, and also leaves children and young people to continue to experience inequality in the very system that is supposed to be their pathway out of poverty and to successful lives,” they said.
All three organisations have repeatedly called for better supports for families with the high costs of sending children to school, and have welcomed initiatives such as the free books for primary schools scheme.
However, in their letter, they said the root causes of inequality in education must be identified.
“We understand that difficult decisions are being made on all levels of education and Government, but we must be the collective voice for children and families who are struggling to keep up with the cost of education and seek out solutions,” they added.
Separately, principals from 30 schools in parts of Dublin working with children in some of the most disadvantaged areas have also reacted to the recent OECD report and said it was not capable of understanding the “acute level of deprivation and disadvantage in our communities”.
“The OECD review relies primarily on self-reporting by the Department of Education who, to no one's surprise, tell us they are doing a very good job,” they said.
“The recommendations of the OECD are conservative, unimaginative and vague.”
It urged the department to implement a Deis+ categorisation for schools, which would include multidisciplinary teams made up of counsellors, psychologists, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists to work on the ground with schools.
It also called for teaching posts, funding and room space dedicated to implementing trauma-informed practices and interventions.
“This review brings to an end the ability of the Department of Education to hide from making a decision on how to support schools working with the most vulnerable children in disadvantaged areas of the country,” the principals said.
“In our meetings with the Department of Education and the Child Poverty Unit, they have acknowledged the particular challenges facing schools like ours in West Tallaght, Ballymun and Darndale.”
