Class Size 25/3/08
INTO Press Release: Statement by John Carr, INTO General Secretary, on Class Size
25th March 2008Broken promises top the education agenda
John Carr, General Secretary of the INTO, today accused Education Minister Mary Hanafin of promising a great deal and delivering very little. He said that over the past year the government had flattered to deceive in relation to primary education.
“Like the Irish rugby team this time last year,” said Carr, “you and your government promised a great deal. Like the Irish rugby team you flattered to deceive, going on to deliver very little.”
And he said the Minister’s explanations for why promises were carried as much credibility as the Irish rugby coach’s explanation of what went wrong for Irish rugby.
He said the government had raised hopes and expectations of delivery for primary education both before and after the election. “The former we have perhaps come to expect,” said Carr, “the latter makes your failure to deliver inexcusable.”
He told the Minister that government had promised:
- Class size reductions in each of the next three years and broken its word.
- Double capitation funding to primary schools and broken its word.
- Improvements in school buildings and broken its word.
- A comprehensive ICT policy and broken its word.
- Significant improvements for school leaders and broken its word.
- Improved funding for secretaries and caretakers and broken its word.
- Relief on waste and water charges and broken its word.