IPPN

Published: 12 January 2012

The Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN), the professional body that represents over 3,350 primary school leaders, has urged the Government to continue to invest in schools in disadvantaged areas, saying the review announced last night must be the first step in reversing planned cuts in resources.
 
Seán Cottrell, IPPN Director, said it was crucial that disadvantaged schools be protected from cuts in resources.
 
‘The review announced by the Government in the Dáil last night must be the first step in the process of reversing planned cuts in resources in disadvantaged schools which, if they went ahead, would radically set back progress on children’s literacy and numeracy and cause severe long-term damage to our primary education system.
 
‘The Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) scheme was designed to alleviate the effects of socio-economic deprivation.

‘With the planned abolition of DEIS for rural schools and DEIS II in urban areas, it appears that the already disadvantaged are taking a disproportionate hit in the effort to save money.

‘With all of these cuts hitting schools at the same time, parents, principals and teachers fear that local schools’ ability to support children who most need help will radically diminish.

‘This, together with the pressure on small schools with four teachers or fewer, has generated deep anxiety among parents and teachers that schools will close across the country and critical resources will be withdrawn from children most in need.

‘It is vital, too, that any review of resources carried out by the Government is transparent and based on the application of consistent criteria, not on which schools are most vocal in their opposition to the move,’ said Mr Cottrell.
 
Gerry Murphy, IPPN President, said cuts in DEIS schools would reverse the painstaking progress made in recent years to invest in vulnerable children’s futures.
 
‘For education reform, the moral imperative must be to focus on raising the bar and closing the gap in student learning and achievement for all children regardless of background,’ said Mr Murphy.
 
ENDS