Budget 06/04/09
Statement by John Carr, INTO General Secretary, on the Budget
6th April 2009Budget must protect primary education
The Irish National Teachers' Organisation has said tomorrow’s budget must protect primary education from the effects of the current recession. The union’s General Secretary John Carr said there must be no repeat of the savage cutbacks in last October’s budget which cut teacher numbers and funding to schools.
Mr Carr said last October the Education Minister claimed to be taking one step back so he could take two steps forward. “Now is the time for the Minister to step forward on behalf of primary education,” said Carr.
“No pupil or teacher caused the country’s economic crisis,” said Carr. "They must not pay the price in tomorrow’s budget."
Mr Carr said primary school funding mirrors the national finances in that expenditure far exceeds income. “To date, local contributions from parental donations and school based fundraising have made good the shortfall. This is unsustainable in the current economic climate.”
“Without significantly increased state support, primary schools will be unable to meet current costs,” said Carr.
The union is also seeking the reversal of the decision to increase class sizes, a revision of the embargo on teacher numbers and a review of the recent decision to close 128 special classes for children with mild general learning difficulties.
Ends.