5th October 2008 - Now is the time to increase spending on Primary Education
Economic downturn by its nature will have short-term impact in this country. It is for this very reason that Government must increase investment in Education to make sure that we are ready for the upturn in the economy when it comes. Over reacting to budgetary pressures by cutting essential investment in a key resource.
'Cutting back on the primary education budget will have disastrous consequences for the future - it's comparable to a farm selling his seed in times of hungry' said Larry Fleming, President of IPPN.
'The Government must devise creative solutions to financing investments in education. Introducing a specific state guaranteed pension plan for under 40's could provide substantial finance for capital investment in the School Building Programme. It would have the added bonus of stimulating the Construction Sector, reducing unemployment and eliminating the waste of scarce resources on renting prefabs.' Stated Seán Cottrell, Director of IPPN
The Government did the right thing in providing state guarantee to secure our financial and banking system last week. The Government must also do the right thing for Primary Education and invest for the long-term benefit of all.
ENDS
Full Submission to the Department of Finance
29th September 2008 - New schools to be built - moving the goalposts again
Statement by Larry Fleming, President of the Irish Primary Principals' Network, following the announcement by the Minister for Education and Science of a revised building programme.
"The building projects list announced by the Minister for Education and Science is good news for those schools who have been approved but does little to address the pressing and urgent need to rapidly expand the provision of primary education in many areas.
28th June 2008 - Religion in Schools - What 750 Principals Say
The Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN) today publishes the results of a comprehensive survey of school principals on the place of religion in primary schools. 750 principals (almost 1 in 4) participated in this research in parallel with the RedC survey of parental views on the same topic, which was published yesterday.
7 out of 10 parents (72%) want primary schools to be managed by the state, with equal opportunity afforded to all religions, according to a RedC poll commissioned by the Irish Primary Principals' Network.
28th June 2008 - Parents want to reduced role for Church in Primary Schools
The Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN) today publishes the results of an independent survey on parental attitudes towards the place of religion in primary schools.
The survey, commissioned by IPPN, conducted by RedC between June 9th - 11th, demonstrates clearly that 3 out of 4 parents want primary schools to be managed by the State, with equal status and opportunity for all religions.
