Cuts rob students of a sporting chance

WE the committee of the Cork Colleges would like to express our concern at the budget cuts in the education sector, in particular the withdrawal of substitution arrangements.

This will affect the availability of qualified teachers to teach classes when their colleagues are legitimately absent, as well as putting severe financial pressure on schools to survive on a day-to-day basis.

This proposed cut will also put immense pressure on schools involved in sport competitions such as those organised by ourselves and the Munster colleges.

It is inevitable the majority of schools will not be able to field teams.

Games have an important role in contributing to a rounded education for young people aged 12-19. Apart from the physical wellbeing and health promoting aspects of involvement in games, such participation often plays an important role in ensuring the engagement of many pupils with education.

The removal of healthy competition in games from school life will impoverish the lives of thousands of young people.

We would ask that parents of current and indeed past students convey these concerns to the education minister as a matter of extreme urgency so that this decision is reversed.

Edward Cronin

PRO

Coiste CLG Choláistí Chorcaí

Gael Cholaíste Mhuire

Our Ladies Mount

North Monastery Road

Cork