We’re falling behind in race for knowledge

GIVEN the downturn in the building and financial sectors and the increased competition from China and India in manufacturing, it is widely recognised that the best way forward for us is through knowledge-intensive, high value-added activities.

So it was alarming to read in the latest relevant OECD report that Ireland is propping up the table of investment in education.

In fact, State investment in this crucial area has fallen from 5.2% of GDP in 1995 to a very low 4.6% last year. The OECD average is 6.2%, while Scandinavian countries spend over 7%.