The parents and teachers of Donegal came out in force to show their disapproval of the expected class size increase in the upcoming budget.
Speaking at a public meeting organised by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO), members of the public voiced their concerns that children and their education are once again being unfairly targeted in the Government’s efforts to cut costs.
Michael Weed, member of the INTO’s Central Executive Committee, shared recent figures that more than 16,000 Donegal children, 86.6% of the county’s primary school population, are already in classes larger than the EU average.
Fr. John Joe Duffy and Rev. John Deane, as representatives of Catholic and Church of Ireland Boards of Management respectively, spoke from the podium about their dismay at the Government’s continued attacks on our schools, first by targeting our small schools for closure and now by increasing class sizes.
Colm Breathnach, principal in Drumkeen N.S., spoke from the floor at the Clanree Hotel as both a parent and a principal, “To the Minister and anyone else that thinks class size does not matter, I ask this; what would you want for your own child? If you had a choice of sending your four-year old into a classroom with more than thirty other children or a class of twenty or twenty-two, which would you choose? There is no question that the child in the smaller class is getting a fairer chance.”
The roving microphone was kept busy with contributions from frustrated and concerned parents and teachers. The general consensus was well summed up by Liam McGowan, retired principal, “The Government needs to view education as the investment it is.”
The meeting was well attended by members of local and county councils. Independent TD, Deputy Thomas Pringle and Fianna Fail spokesperson for Education, Deputy Charlie McConalogue pledged their support and commitment to bring the issues raised back to Dail Eireann.
Sinn Fein’s candidate for next year’s EU elections, Matt Carthy, represented Deputies Pearse Doherty and Padraig Mac Lochlainn and promised their commitment to the cause. Notably absent was any representation from Fine Gael or the Labour Party.
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