IPPN

Last Updated: Tuesday, 06 December 2011 10:18

• Capitation grant cut will deepen schools’ debts
• No VAT exemption for schools as voluntary contributions drop
• No change in inefficient way new schools are built

The Budget was a missed opportunity for reform in primary education, with reduced funding for schools likely to deepen their debts as voluntary contributions plummet, according to the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN).

IPPN Director Seán Cottrell said the Government should have moved on reforms in primary education rather than just focusing on crude, system-wide cost-cutting measures.

‘The decision to cut capitation grants by 2% will make it even more difficult for already indebted schools to pay bills and buy supplies at a time when voluntary contributions are plummeting as families struggle in the recession.

‘In our pre-Budget submission, IPPN suggested that the Government exempt schools from paying VAT as not-for-profit organisations in an effort to help them to manage their budgets.

‘The measure would save schools at least €12,000, with even greater savings for larger schools,’ said  Mr Cottrell. 

Although IPPN acknowledged the investment in new schools and extensions, Mr Cottrell said he believed the Government ‘spurned an opportunity to outsource the inefficient school-building programme to the private sector which would deliver new classrooms faster and without red tape’.

‘The Budget does not address chronic deficiencies in schools’ information communications technology, with poor broadband coverage still limiting many teachers’ ability to equip pupils with skills for the digital age.

‘Neither is there anything in this Budget that allows principals to delegate management responsibilities in their own schools, restore adequate continuous professional development to school leaders or provide  training to new boards of management to deal with the welter of policy and legislative change in the primary school system,’ said Mr Cottrell.

IPPN President Gerry Murphy described the overall funding reduction in education as ‘short-sighted’, saying ‘primary education is ground zero for the future of our country and the next generation of business, political and community leaders’.

However, Mr Murphy acknowledged the Government’s decision to maintain class sizes, although he said he was disappointed that the change in the staffing schedule in smaller schools will force many of them to close.

‘Any upward adjustment in class sizes would further damage learning outcomes, crowd classrooms and cost schools hundreds of teaching posts.

‘IPPN’s pre-Budget submission recommended that class sizes be maintained so, in agreeing to the move, the Government has accepted that larger classes threaten the quality of our education outputs and imperil our children’s futures.

‘However, it is disappointing that the Government has not set up a children’s database to track children from infant entry until transition to second-level education and beyond or introduced planned substitute cover to allow teaching principals to be released from the classroom to carry out administrative functions,’ said Mr Murphy.

ENDS