Between three and four thousand turn out against education cuts 15/11/08

INTO PRESS RELEASE: Statement by Irish National Teachers' Organisation, Protest Against Education Cuts - Tullamore 15th November 2008

15th November 2008

Protest against education cuts

Tullamore 15th November 2008

Between three and four thousand turn out against education cuts

Between three and four thousand teachers, parents and members of boards of management turned out in Tullamore today to protest against the education cutbacks in last month’s budget. The protest, organised by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, drew protesters mainly from Offaly, Laois, Kilkenny, Carlow and Longford.  

The protesters marched through the town to O Connor’s Square for a rally. A number of teachers also delivered petitions to the Taoiseach’s constituency office in Tullamore. The petitions from local schools called for the cutbacks to be reversed. 

Speaking to the crowd, Declan Kelleher, president of the INTO said parents, teachers and management in primary schools would continue to oppose the cutbacks. He said serious damage would be done to the education system by the cutbacks which would threaten children’s futures. 

“We are united in our opposition to these cutbacks on an already under-funded primary education service,” said Mr Kelleher. “Government must be persuaded to change its position.”

John Carr, general secretary of the INTO called on the public to let government TDs know of their opposition to the budget cuts. He said every TD would have to get the message that they would not be re-elected at the next election if the cuts were not reversed.

Pat Goff of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network said principal teachers were totally opposed to the cutbacks which he said would place teaching principals in an impossible position.

The protest meeting was also addressed by representatives of political parties.

The rally was the second of several regional protests organised by the INTO to campaign against the education cuts announced in the budget. More than 8,000 people turned out to protest in Galway last week. protests will be held in Cork and Donegal leading to a national rally in Dublin on 6th December.

ENDS