Primary schools should be funded like research
- Published: 15 December 2008
Source: Irish Independent
Monday December 15 2008
NEWS that nearly €1.5bn of taxpayers' money has been invested in research and development activities in the last two years contrasts sharply with spending on science and technology at primary level.
This is more than five times the sum of money that couldn't be found to fund computers in schools, and compares to no spending for science equipment in primary schools.
Reports that a further €300m is to be invested must be seen in the context of the education cutbacks in primary schools. This figure would more than reverse the class size increases, and compounds the loss of English language teachers and funding cuts imposed on disadvantaged children, Travellers and special needs children.
Government policy appears to be to cut back on spending that benefits everyone while investing in a small number of elite students.
In the world of education, this policy fundamentally undermines any remaining commitment to giving equality of opportunity to all children.
Because of under-investment in primary schools, some children's educational futures are determined at a young age. For example, because there is little or no learning support for maths in primary schools many children develop negative attitudes to this essential subject.
Because class sizes are so large, many children do not get the science learning that is needed. Because most schools have clapped out computers, children's attitudes to technology are increasingly formed outside of the classroom.
Yet instead of rectifying this situation and giving all children an equal chance to succeed, the Government invests in those who make it to third level and even more in those who make it to fourth level.
Among developed countries, Ireland is one of the lowest spenders on education. For every €5 we spend on primary, €7 is spent on post primary and €10 on third level.
However, my observations should not be seen as an argument for redistributing already scarce education funding. If educational investment is truly to aid economic recovery, primary schools should be brought up to the funding standards of third level. Only then might every child feel cherished in the way the proclamation intended.
John Carr is general secretary of INTO
- John Carr
