ABOUT £1,200 is raised each year by one Dublin national school in order to pay for essential running costs and materials.
Among items wholly or partly paid for through fund raising by Belgrove Boys Junior School, Clontarf, Dublin are the following:
. tape recorders and videos.
. computer hardware and software.
. a telescope and camera.
. PE equipment.
. paint and materials for FAS workers who are carrying out repairs at the school.
. books for the staff reference library and the children's library.
. guest artists to attend the school's annual arts day.
. A fund raising drive is ongoing for the purchase of musical instruments, while it is believed parents may also have to subsidise repairs to the heating system.
"The school wouldn't be able to function if it wasn't for the good grace of the parents", said its vice principal, Ms Ita McGrath.
Each year, the school organises a number of fund raising events, including golf outings, table quizzes and fashion shows, to which parents are the main contributors Parents also pay a voluntary contribution at the start of each term.
The school caters for 10 classes despite being designed for seven It has six prefabs, three of which are used as classrooms.