OECD report - Education study offers harsh lessons

BELYING Ireland’s impressive ranking in the comparative OECD study of education systems in some of the world’s richest nations, the global report turns an embarrassing spotlight on this country’s persistent neglect of pre-school education, a vital area where investment is so negligible it can only be described as pathetic.

In this respect, the findings are a damning indictment of the Coalition’s education priorities. But they also reflect the failure of both Fine Gael and Labour to address this crucial issue when they were in power.

Though spending on education has risen significantly in recent years, Ireland still invests far less of its overall income in the education of young children compared with other countries. Despite the recent economic boom, the Government is spending way below the OECD average.