Shaping the future - Protecting education

TODAY we publish a supplement focussing on how last Tuesday’s budget might make it easier or harder for Ireland’s young people to realise their potential.

Their air of determination, of optimism, is as inspiring as their disenchantment with politics and politicians is worrying if understandable. There is too a justifiable disappointment that their legacy from our boom time is increasing education costs, lengthening dole queues and the prospect of a one-way ticket to Melbourne.

One of the very few issues that all of our political parties agree on is the necessity to maintain, at the very least, our investment in education. Not to do so would make the prospect of a recovery even more remote.

Though finance is the greatest challenge facing our education system it is not the only one. As so many reports, even in recent days and weeks, have pointed out there are a lot of things that need to be addressed in our schools and colleges that do not require money.