Student fee increase and teacher cuts planned [IrishTimes]
- Published: 25 November 2010
INCREASES IN student charges and the prospect of a new student loan scheme are the most striking features of the four-year plan in the education sector.
But the most controversial proposals are likely to be those which will see dramatic cuts in the number of resource, language support and Traveller support teachers. The INTO claimed last night that 700 jobs would be lost in a “shocking move which targets the most disadvantaged and marginalised”.
A 5 per cent cut has also been imposed on adult literacy programmes and the school completion programme which assists “at risk’’ pupils.
While there will be no cuts in class size in 2011, the plan holds out the prospect of significant cuts in teacher numbers, despite the projected increase in school numbers at primary and second level.
The student contribution fee will be €2,000 from next September, an increase of 33 per cent on the current €1,500 student registration charge.
But the plan also hints that a new student loan scheme could run from about 2012. Minister for Education Mary Coughlan said various options will be considered.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
