Education cuts to top agenda at teacher conferences
Education cutbacks and class sizes are set to top the agenda as Ireland's three main teaching unions meet for their annual conferences today.
ASTI members are gathering in Killarney, TUI delegates are meeting in Cork and the INTO is holding its conference in Co Donegal.
Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe is expected to come in for strong criticism when he addresses the INTO meeting later today.
The three teaching unions say cutbacks being imposed by the minister will lead to bigger class sizes, the dropping of minority subjects and a reduction in extra-curricular activities.
They say cash-strapped parents will also be expected to make larger voluntary contributions to schools in order to help them break even.
