Tipperary TD Calls For The Dept Of Education To Listen To Primary School Staff

Tipperary Sinn Fein TD Martin Browne is calling upon the Department of Education to listen to primary school principals and teachers, and to make the school system responsive and flexible.  Recently Primary School Principals from across the country, including Co Tipperary made a presentation to Oireachtas members, in which they clearly called for action on a number of fronts such as burnout among teaching principals, primary school funding and the under-resourcing of Special Education Needs.

Principals say it is difficult to budget due to a lack of clarity around when and if some grants would be paid. 7 out of 10 primary schools have run deficits over the past 12 months while also dealing with increased insurance and energy costs, putting extra pressure especially on  teaching principals.

Deputy Browne highlights that OECD figures show that Ireland spends an average 12.5% less per student at primary level than other developed countries.

While the number of children with special needs increased by 56% between 2017 and 2021, the 2011 austerity measures which reduced SEN resources by 15%, have not been fully reversed. The TD also noted that SNA ratios and teacher allocations are determined on obsolete data leaving many parents in a state of anxiety because of the difficulties in getting a suitable place for their child.

Deputy Browne wants an independent analysis of school funding to reflect the true cost of running schools, that the Capitation Grant  be aligned with current cost of living and in parity with other educational sectors, a Grants Schedule  published at the start of each school year and the proper collection of data to ascertain future need for special education places.