Taxpayer money belongs in public classrooms
Taxpayer money belongs in public classrooms - The Labour Party
Labour’s Education Spokesperson Eoghan Kenny TD has slammed reports that fee charging schools could receive State funding for phone pouches, warning that any available funding must instead be directed straight into the running of public schools. Speaking today in Leinster House, Deputy Kenny said that at a time when schools are struggling to keep the lights on, heat classrooms, carry out basic maintenance and cope with overcrowding, the idea of extending public funding to private institutions is unacceptable and must be ruled out immediately.
Deputy Kenny said:
“This proposal is deeply frustrating for parents, teachers and school leaders who are seeing first hand the daily strain on our public education system. Schools cannot afford to operate as they should. They are struggling with energy bills and struggling with essential repairs. If there is any money available, it must go directly into addressing these real and urgent pressures in public schools, not into subsidising fee paying institutions.
“Let us be absolutely clear. Choosing to send a child to a fee paying school is a lifestyle choice, not a necessity. Access to a well resourced, properly funded public education system is a necessity. The first duty of the State is to ensure that every child, regardless of background or income, can attend a public school that is warm, safe, properly staffed and properly equipped. That is simply not the reality on the ground right now.
“From what we are hearing from parents, teachers, principals and students themselves, schools are operating well beyond capacity. Class sizes are too large, supports are stretched thin, and buildings are in need of urgent investment. Many schools are postponing basic works because they cannot afford them. Others are relying on constant fundraising just to cover everyday running costs. That is not a sustainable model for public education, and it is certainly not one that should coexist with new funding streams for private schools.
“Schools must be able to operate with the full support of the State. That means proper funding for heating, lighting, building works, special education supports, staffing and capital investment. It means giving public schools the certainty they need to plan for the future. At present, too many schools are stuck in survival mode. That is not acceptable and it is not what children, families or education workers deserve.
“The Government must now confirm that no funding will be diverted to fee charging schools for initiatives like phone pouches while public schools remain under such severe pressure. Parents and teachers want straight answers, not vague commitments.
“I am calling on the Minister for Education to immediately refocus all available resources on shoring up our public schools. Put the money where the need is, not into phone pouches in private schools. Back public education properly. Our schools, our teachers and our students cannot be asked to do more with less yet again.”