EDUCATION Minister Ruairi Quinn has been accused of discriminating against small rural schools in Donegal with an across-the-board cut in funding.
Donegal Sinn Féin TD, Pearse Doherty, has hit out at Mr Quinn’s decision today to impose “further cuts” on small rural schools.
Deputy Doherty described it as an “appalling decision that will further cripple small rural schools who are reeling from the cuts that were imposed on them in December’s budget.”
Deputy Doherty said told donegaldaily.com: “Today’s announcement to partially reverse the cut to Urban Deis schools is to be welcome, however demanding that rural schools take a 3.5% cut to the capitation funding for primary schools in 2012 is appalling.
“Many schools already have to fund their running costs through cake sales, voluntary donations from parents and other fundraising activities. This in effect will mean a five euro cut for every child. While some of the larger schools will be able to absorb this cut it will impact deepest on the smaller schools.
“In December’s budget the Fine Gale and Labour government launched a full attack on small rural schools, by increasing the number of pupils they require to retain a classroom teacher.
“As a result of this change dozens of schools will lose teachers and pupils will be forced into larger multiple classes. Many parents, teachers and concerned citizens will be shocked that the result of their lobbying efforts to have this cut reversed was for the Minister not to reverse the decision but today to impose even greater hardship on these same schools by cutting their funding by 3.5%.
Doherty added: “There can be no doubt about it, this government is hell bent to see the closure of schools across rural Ireland. The public must let them know that we will not stand idly by while they toy with our children’s futures.”
WHO’S RIGHT? DEPUTY DOHERTY OR MINISTER QUINN? LEAVE YOUR COMMENT BELOW
© 2011 donegaldaily.com, all Rights Reserved
The copying, republication or redistribution of donegaldaily.com Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited by law.
Follow us on www.twitter.com/donegaldaily
Follow us on www.facebook.com/donegaldaily
Tags: