Education sector must share pain of recession

I WAS dismayed at the campaign against the education measures announced in the budget.

These are necessary as we experience what can only be described as unprecedented economic times. Now is the moment when we must all pull together and work for the future of our country.

It is understandable that different sectors will experience the pain of the recession in different ways. But with a current budget deficit spiralling upwards in billions, the last thing we need is sectoral interests being pursued. Most of the world is in recession.

We are a small island nation off the coast of Europe. More than 100,000 people have lost their jobs in the past year — the seriousness of the situation cannot be underestimated.

Now is the time when we all need to be realistic. We need to work together to get through this. Teachers, parents and all other education interests need to sit down and see what can be achieved.

All areas have felt the chill of theeconomic downturn, no matter how unpalatable it may be, and not even education is immune.

Mick Billane

Ellensborough Dale

Kiltipper Road

Tallaght

Dublin 24