A chara, – I noted with disbelief the claim by John McGowan (TUI): “There is an unconscionable amount of taxpayers’ money being provided to [fee-charging] schools” (Breaking News, March 5th). As somebody at least ostensibly connected to education, Mr McGowan ought to know the difference between sensationalism and objective, impartial debate.
Surely some of those who decide to send their child to a fee-charging school are taxpayers too and are equally entitled to State subvention of secondary education? The fact that some may choose to supplement this with their own resources is a lifestyle choice; no different ethically to, say, private health insurance.
Whether right or wrong, it is imperative that sound thinking prevails. A rallying cry for the poor taxpayer in this instance is confused at best. How many members of the TUI executive have private health insurance policies? – Is mise,
MICHAEL FINUCANE,
Seagrange Road,
Baldoyle, Dublin 13.
Sir, – The statistics published by the Department of Education regarding the funding of schools outside the “free scheme” reveal the true extent of Irish under-investment in education.
The Department statistics clearly indicate that State-subsidised schools included in the “free scheme”, incorrectly known as public or non-fee paying schools, are under-funded by €3,177 per pupil per year. Present capitation fees are manifestly inadequate, increasing them by a substantial amount should be a priority. The annual cost can be calculated by multiplying the under-funding revealed by this report by the number of students – €1,059,396,066. I suspect that a substantial proportion of this is already provided by parents in the form of (in)voluntary contributions and fund raising.
My personal observations are that the State-aided schools, improperly known as private or fee-paying schools, provide an education on a par with State secondary schools in continental Europe. Why have all governments since the introduction of State-subsidised secondary education failed to adequately fund what is surely the most important investment any country can make – the education of its children? – Yours, etc,