Education cuts risk our children's futures
THE Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe said in the Dail, "the Government has more fundamental issues to deal with", having derided teachers' protests as "hysteria".
This is the minister who is supposed to fight for our education system at the Cabinet table.
He said that the Government will cut spending in education now and increase spending when money becomes available. When money was available our Government's spending was totally inadequate, so now we're expected to believe that this will change in the future. I don't.
What would happen if nurses started fundraising for bed linen and medical supplies, or gardai started fundraising for speed guns or uniforms? Would the country be amused? Surprised? Or even annoyed? It just wouldn't happen. Yet schools are fundraising regularly and charging parents fees to make up the shortfall and nobody seems to care.
Schools can only do so much. We badly need the support that this Government is not prepared to give. I am deeply concerned about our future.
ANTHONY CONDRON
THURLES, CO TIPPERARY
I refer to comments made by the Teachers' Union of Ireland president Don Ryan. Mr Ryan said: "That's no flesh wound, it's a near mortal blow to our children's future."
I spent all my years in school from junior infants to third year in classes of either 29 or 30. I don't think it did any harm to my education.
I would also like to say that the opposition parties are using the cutbacks in the Budget to instil fear among the people of this country.
As a parent who has two kids attending the CTYI courses in DCU (Irish Centre for Talented Youth), I am outraged that the Minister for Education Mr Batt O'Keeffe has seen fit to cut the entire budget of €100,000 for this sector.
I scrimp and save to ensure my kids try to improve themselves and this short-sighted move again shows the serious lack of long-term investment in all our kids' futures.
In other, far more progressive, societies children who show talent are encouraged by the State. This action speaks for itself.
