Politicians around the State are to be lobbied by parents as part of a new campaign by the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) against education cutbacks.
The union is encouraging parents to lobby Government party representatives in the coming days, warning the education system cannot absorb further cutbacks in the April 7th Budget.
TUI president Don Ryan said although everybody recognises the need for restraint in public spending, straining every last cent from the education system would have disastrous long term economic and social consequences for the nation.
Mr Ryan said the nature of the cutbacks remains at odds with the Department of Education's mission statement of "enabling individuals to achieve their full potential and to participate fully as members of society".
He added: "The cutting of the school book grant, a cap on English language support, the asset stripping of alternative programmes and the reduction in the capitation grant for Travellers can be construed in no other way than as an attack on the weakest and most vulnerable in our education system."