IPPN

Published: 08 May 2024

IPPN continues to welcome the initiative to provide free school books, workbooks and copies for all primary school children and its objective to ensure equality of access to resources. IPPN has also consistently stated that its priority is to ensure the scheme’s successful and effective implementation in all primary schools.

To better ensure this, IPPN conducted a survey of schools last year to evaluate the experience of implementing the scheme. 584 schools responded to the survey providing rich data and feedback. That data and feedback were shared with the Department of Education (DE) to inform the planning for the implementation of the scheme in 2024.

A summary of the feedback is as follows:

• The overwhelming majority of schools recognised the scheme to be of significant benefit to parents in terms of reducing back-to-school costs.
• Schools were divided on whether the level of funding per student (€96) was sufficient to cover the cost of textbooks, workbooks and copybooks, however, a significant majority identified that it was insufficient to cover the cost of other related classroom resources described in the guidelines.
• The overwhelming majority of schools indicated that the implementation of the scheme in the school created a significant additional administrative/leadership burden.
• A majority of schools felt that the extent of the funding made available through the Administration Support Grant was insufficient compensation for the workload involved in implementing the scheme.
• The overwhelming majority of schools who were selected for audit indicated that the workload involved in completing the audit process was either excessive or significant.

In response to the Guidelines for Free Primary Schoolbooks Scheme 2024/25, IPPN notes that some account has been taken of the feedback provided by schools.

• IPPN welcomes the retention of the Administrative Support Fund as it recognises the significant additional workload associated with the administration of the scheme
• IPPN also welcomes the enhancement of this support with an increased number of days allocated to larger schools, to take account of additional work needed. However, IPPN believes that the fund, and the number of days it represents, does not sufficiently address the extent of the workload involved, as reported by schools.
• Similarly, IPPN welcomes the scaling back of the audit process to make it more manageable.

The reduction in the per capita funding is a cause for concern. IPPN accepts the principle that a reduced number of books may need to be bought this year, as a result of books bought last year being retained for use in the school. However, in the context of divided opinion on the adequacy of last year’s funding, it is impossible to be certain that such a reduction in funding is merited. IPPN will engage with schools in the autumn in order to ascertain the adequacy of the level of funding provided.

IPPN will continue to represent its legitimate concerns regarding the manner in which the scheme operates, the logistical implications for schools and school leaders, and the extent to which the scope of the scheme meets parental expectations.