STAND UP FOR PRIMARY EDUCATION

Dear Parents,

The INTO has launched a pre-budget campaign calling for greater investment in primary education. The ‘Stand up for primary education’ campaign is demanding improvements in class size, funding and supports for school leaders in next month’s budget.

State funding for primary schools has never been generous and as you know we rely on your generosity to make up the shortfall. Irish class sizes are also the second biggest in Europe with about 125,000 pupils in classes of thirty or more.

State funding for school running costs at primary is 92c per pupil per day while second level schools get almost double (€1.77) for each student. This funding covers school running costs such as electricity bills, heating costs and water charges. Primary school classrooms must be opened, heated, cleaned and maintained for a month longer, but are expected to do this with just over half the funding.


A lifting of the ban on promotion would also help schools to deal with increased demands like special education, computing and literacy and numeracy.

Your support for this campaign is needed and would be greatly appreciated. It’s also easy to do. 

•  Please send the postcards to local TDs to let them know that for you primary education is a priority.   You can send the postcard directly to your local representatives or simply fill it in and send it back into the class teacher. We will then forward the postcards to our local public representatives.

•  Please go to www.standupprimary.ie and send the pre-prepared email to all local TDs.  This website will allow you to choose your constituency and corresponding public representatives so it is very easy to navigate.

• Between now and the budget in a month’s time, if you meet any TDs please let them know that for you primary education is a priority.   In the case of our own school class size, funding and lack of an adequate school hall are the areas of focus.       

• Free Text STANDUP to 50050

 Thank you for your support in standing up for Primary Education