Education, in its various forms, underpins the health and vibrancy of a society. Because of that, it is hugely important that the first step on the ladder at national school level represents a positive childhood experience. If the costs involved amount to a serious financial burden on the family, the chances of education being viewed in a negative light increase. Research conducted by the children’s charity Barnardos shows that one in 10 parents are being forced to borrow, sometimes from money-lenders, in order to meet school costs. This makes a mockery of Government claims that ‘free’ education is being provided to young children.
These school-related charges are not new. Limited progress has been made in the introduction of book rental schemes and the use of generic school uniforms. Barnardos estimates the average annual cost of sending a child to national school still exceeds €300, while the cost in secondary schools is double that amount. Many parents will face even greater charges.
Rather than apply available resources to cutting taxes in the October Budget, Barnardos has urged the Government to allocate €103m of that money to reducing costs in primary schools. This amount would cover schoolbooks, classroom fees, rural school transport, voluntary contributions and restore capitation grants to 2010 levels. In the context of the hardship caused to struggling families, it should have happened years ago.
Unlike in Northern Ireland, parents here pay for school materials. A scandalous ‘churning’ of basic textbooks was one consequence. Inbuilt inequality was another. Action is now needed to support struggling parents and encourage their children to enjoy being at school. Investment in additional teachers and training methods is already underway, after years of austerity. The number of children entering primary school is also rising – by more than 6,000 a year – bringing pressure for additional school places, for new non-denominational schools and for other facilities. In the boom years, school-going costs were ignored in favour of tax cuts. It shouldn’t happen again.