Government must pledge to tackle inequalities in education sector

Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) has called on the Government to commit to tackling inequalities in the education sector by supporting the priorities laid out in their #SupportYourLocalETB campaign.

ETBI is the representative body of 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) nationwide and it unveiled its four priorities for the ETB sector at an event in Buswells Hotel, Dublin. These priorities are:

1. Increase the number and profile of Community National Schools nationwide;
2. Increase the Deputy Principal allocation in ETB post-primary schools with DEIS designation;
3. Increase funding for Further Education and Training (FET) so that funds reflect the proportion of learners, and ring-fence €600m in funding for the FET Colleges of the Future project, due to commence in 2028;
4. Restore funding for youth work to pre-austerity levels and ensure pay parity for youth workers.

Launching the campaign in Buswells Hotel in Dublin today, ETBI General Secretary Paddy Lavelle told invited TDs, “The 16 ETBs across Ireland provide education and training opportunities for over 450,000 people. We do this through running primary and post-primary schools, and providing Further Education and Training opportunities, including apprenticeships. We are also heavily involved in youth work.

“All ETBs nationwide offer excellent, equality-based, inclusive educational opportunities to learners of all ages. We are proud to support Ireland’s diverse population of learners – and have a proven track record of doing so. We are delighted to launch our #SupportYourLocalETB campaign today and our political priorities for the coming year. We are calling on the Government to commit to supporting our work.

“TDs can also raise these issues at local and national levels of Government, and ensure these priorities are included in their party’s manifesto for the next General Election.” Mr Lavelle said.

More Community National Schools

Expanding on the current priorities for the ETB sector, ETBI’s Director of Schools, Dr Seamus Conboy, said: “Community National Schools (CNS) are the ETB model for primary education. They provide quality, multi-denominational education at a local level, and welcome all pupils and their families, regardless of their ethnicity, culture or religious beliefs. They offer a much-needed alternative to schools under the patronage of religious bodies, such as the Catholic Church.

“Currently, however, there are only 152 multi-denominational schools nationwide. Across the country, families looking for an alternative to Catholic-run schools are being severely failed: the most recent Census showed only 69% of people now consider themselves to be Roman Catholic – but 90% of primary schools are still under Catholic patronage. So we are asking all elected representatives to help us establish more Community National Schools nationwide. We want to ensure all families are catered for in their local communities and that every child can attend a school that welcomes them and reflects their family’s background and beliefs.”

More Deputy Principals for DEIS Post-Primary Schools

In a recent survey, 92% of ETB Principals said they believed the current allocation of Deputy Principals was insufficient. They also said an increased allocation would impact positively on the quality of teaching and learning; on supports for young people with emotional and behavioural challenges; on student and staff wellbeing; and on addressing issues such as bullying and disadvantage.

Sandra O’Toole, a DEIS deputy principal at Bunclody Community College, Co Wexford, said smaller colleges like hers were being unfairly punished because deputies are also employed as teachers and must spend 11 hours each week in the classroom, and not working at “the coal-face” to support the most vulnerable students.

“DEIS school students need and deserve adequate supports,” she said. “And post-Covid, there have been an increasing number of issues that need to be dealt with outside of the classroom, such as rising absenteeism.

“Therefore, the deputy principal role within DEIS schools has taken on extra significance. They are the ones walking the corridors, picking up the pieces so to speak, as they help students who are having a bad day get back into the classroom.

“That is the main role of the deputy principal. But we can’t do the job we are employed to do if we are in the classroom. I’m a teacher at heart, and I love teaching, but at the end of the day I am being paid as a deputy principal. But I am unable to adequately support students who are experiencing the greatest difficulties if I am in the classroom.”

FET and Youth Work

In relation to Further Education and Training (FET) and youth work, the ETBI’s Director of Further Education and Training, Dr Joseph Collins, said: “FET is more local, accessible, flexible and affordable for many people than higher education and, as a result, it attracts more diverse learners. However, there has been a historical funding disparity between FET and higher education, which is matched by a historical disparity of esteem. A Government commitment to, and investment in, community-based inclusive FET provision is critical to ensure the sector can continue to attract school-leavers and older learners into key areas to meet skills shortages. Targeted investment in professional development, competitive remuneration, capital spending, and improved working conditions for FET staff also needs to be prioritised. We are calling on elected representatives to work within their parties to secure such a commitment.

“We also want to see the devolved capital for each ETB to be increased, and the limit of €125,000 per project to be increased to €350,000. The current FET capital estate includes up to 500 buildings. Many of these buildings are inadequate and outdated. Such an increase would enable our sector to upgrade our facilities, and ensure all learners can thrive in environments that are properly fit for purpose. 

“Further to providing these suitable facilities, ETBI anticipates that a number of

FET ‘Colleges of the Future’ will commence on-site in 2028, and as a result we are seeking ring-fenced funding of €600m for ETBs to complete these projects. This investment in FET infrastructure will help to address capacity deficits and prepare the sector for future educational and industry requirements.

Ruth Griffin, an ETBI Youth Support Services Manager, said the organisation was also calling for a restoration of funding for youth services to pre-austerity levels, as well as pay parity for youth workers.

“Funding for the youth work sector decreased significantly after the 2008 economic crash,” she said. “In that year, funding for youth organisations and special youth projects was €90.5 million. By 2015, this had fallen by over 44%. There have been small increases since 2020, but funding is still significantly lower – by almost 20% – than it was 16 years ago, despite a 26% increase in the youth population since 2006.

“With Ireland facing a growing range of social challenges, the need for quality and extensive youth services has never been greater.” ETBI’s priorities for the next year are available to read here: https://we.tl/t-jM32igHotC