National Demonstration Against Education Cuts 5/12/08
INTO Press Release
FRIDAY 5TH DECEMBER 2008Thousands to march in Dublin tomorrow
The INTO has said tomorrow’s planned national demonstration against the education cuts will go ahead as planned. Organisers say there could be as many as 40,000 on the protest march in Dublin next Saturday making it one of the biggest protest marches in the capital for years.
The General Secretary of the primary teachers' union the INTO, John Carr, said yesterday’s announcement of limited changes to substitution of teachers in post-primary schools changes nothing.
Mr Carr said government had done nothing to reverse the budget proposals to increase class sizes, remove English language teachers and withdraw special education and disadvantaged funding at both primary and second level. “Neither has government moved to resolve the substitution issue in primary schools,” he said. “These are major issues of concern to parents, teachers and management and must be resolved.”
He called on members of the public concerned about the future of education to march in Dublin on Saturday. “The presence of thousands of protesters will deliver a powerful message to government that the hasty and badly thought out budget decisions must be reversed.”
Mr Carr said the country’s current economic difficulties must be sorted out but said children should form no part of the solution.
The march organised by the INTO, TUI, ASTI and IFUT with the support of parents and school management authorities will take place in Dublin city centre at 1pm. Protesters will assemble in Parnell Square from noon on Saturday on the north side (Gallery) of Parnell Square. The protest will move off to Merrion Square at 1pm for a rally. The route of the march will be Parnell Square East, O’Connell Street, D’Olier Street, Nassau Street, Leinster Street, Clare Street, Merrion Square West finishing in Merrion Square South.
Speeches will take place at a rally on the south side of Merrion Square. Speakers will include INTO, ASTI, TUI, IFUT, NPC, Management and ICTU.
ENDS.