Primary schools 'staring at bankruptcy and may close'
Tuesday December 04 2007
A dramatic warning that some schools face bankruptcy and may have to close unexpectedly next year was issued last night by the Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN).
The warning will add to the pressure for a substantial budgetary increase in the capitation grant, which has been described as inadequate by the INTO and by Patron bodies.
"We are used to hearing calls for increases at this time of year when the Minister for Finance presents the Budget. Most of these calls are deserving and valid. This call is different. Unless primary schools get a substantial increase in the grants allowed for basic running costs this year, some schools may have to close.
"There are schools out there on the verge of bankruptcy," said Sean Cottrell, director of IPPN.
Survey
A survey of 200 primary schools conducted by IPPN found 97pc of primary schools do not receive enough to cover basic running costs and 80pc of schools depend on fundraising from parents to cover shortfalls.
"This survey shows that our primary schools are receiving only half of what they need to operate," he said.
"Paradoxically, when a child leaves primary and starts in a second level school, the grant changes from €161 to €316.
"This begs the question: Does it cost less to heat, clean and insure a building with 200 four-year-olds than a building with 200 14-year-olds?
"The grant of €161 per pupil is to cover the basic costs of keeping the building open and operating so that teaching and learning can take place.
"It is meant to pay for heat, light, insurance, telephone, cleaning, and security as well as Art and Craft supplies, PE equipment, science materials, books, software and other educational resources for use by children.
"The average grant for the schools surveyed was €25,000. Their running costs averaged €48,000. The shortfall was €23,000 or nearly 100pc of what they received from the Exchequer.
Charges
President of IPPN Larry Fleming said: "Water and waste charges are also becoming a major issue. Schools are being metered now and some have been asked to pay bills of €4,000 and €5,000. Schools are charged the same as a commercial business but we do not get any extra income to cover these new charges."
Paul Rowe, chief executive of Educate Together, says theprimary system is chronically under-funded.
"It is an ongoing disgrace that schools have to operate major fundraising efforts to pay for the basic necessities of light, heat, insurance, caretaking and minimal curriculum materials. In the past year, this requirement has reached levels in excess of €150 per pupil.
"There is therefore a pressing need to increase the primary capitation grant by at least this figure in the current year.
See Budget Countdown, p45
- John Walshe Education Editor
