Education not so free any more - Back-to-school costs

IT IS almost exactly 50 years since Donogh O’Malley caused consternation among colleagues in government when he announced his free post-primary education scheme without having brought the matter to Cabinet.

The enthusiasm of the public response was said to have forced the government’s hand to make his proposal but it later emerged that Taoiseach Sean Lemass had approved of the plan in advance.

As expected, the Department of Finance had a hissy fit, warning that we could not afford it and that it would bring ruination to the country.

It turned out to be the best use of taxpayers’ money since the foundation of the State.

O’Malley also extended the school transport scheme and commissioned the building of new non-denominational comprehensive and community schools.

Like this year, 1966 was the year in which the Rising was commemorated. It was also the year when Nelson’s Pillar in Dublin was blown up, Cork beat Kilkenny in the All-Ireland hurling final and The Sound of Music swept all before it at the Oscars.

However, the most important moment was when we funded second-level education in Ireland. It had an enormous impact on society here and on the economy. At the time, more than one third of children left school with only primary education and only 20% sat the Leaving Certificate.

That meant most young people were condemned to a life of penury as low-skilled workers.

Soon after the introduction of free education, new opportunities in education for rich and poor were introduced. This investment in the future helped Ireland to prepare for membership of the European Union in 1973, or the EEC as it was then known.

Most middle-aged Irish people are, as poet Theo Dorgan put it, “O’Malley’s children”, having been given an opportunity denied by the generations that preceded them. Both they, and the younger generations owe a huge debt of gratitude to him for helping to bring Ireland out of the economic Dark Ages and become a vibrant, prosperous society.

However, Donogh O’Malley, who died barely two years later in 1968, must be turning in his grave at the erosion of his dream for Ireland.

As a study by the children’s charity Barnardos shows, the average family in Ireland have to fork out hundreds of euro every year to send their children to school.

The charity’s annual back-to-school costs survey has found that one in 10 families are borrowing to cover the cost of ensuring their children get a decent second-level education.

Not only that, but our so-called ‘free’ university education is also a myth, with college students and their parents forced to pay exorbitant rents for accommodation, making it almost impossible for the average family to send a son or daughter to third-level institutions.

The spirt of O’Malley would not just turn in his grave but rise from it. Free education how are you!