Fee-pay students get less from State

Threats to funding for fee-paying schools are an attack on fairness, equality, and families.

Each child attending these schools receives significantly less in State funding than children in fully state-funded schools, and the State makes no contribution to these schools, beyond funding the salaries of teachers.

Even the teachers are funded at a level per pupil that is significantly lower than in the non-fee-paying sector.

As parents, we believe that our children are entitled to be treated equally. Cutting the funding of the teachers of some children, simply because some elements of the Government do not like the choices we, as parents made, is unfair and inequitable.

We have never asked the State for anything extra for our children.

Just as some parents get their child grinds, or music lessons, or sports equipment, we, as parents, have chosen a school that we think is the best fit for our children.

All we ask is that the State continues to vindicate our children’s right to a basic education, by providing them with the same teaching support it would provide to any other child.

Ideologically-driven attacks on one small sector of the education system will not improve standards for a single child in this country.

This attack on fee paying schools will, however, cost jobs, hurt children, and, in many cases, will force schools to join the State sector, where they will cost the taxpayer more than they do now.

This policy makes no sense for taxpayers, no sense for schools, and constitutes an attempt by the Government to treat some children differently, on the basis that one party in Government wants to punish a group of parents.

It is neither fair, nor equal. It constitutes a gross injustice.

Rita Holding

Rosscarbery

Co Cork