Almost 60 years ago, as minister for education, Donogh O’Malley announced the provision of free second-level education, widely seen as a key economic and societal turning point. However, putting children through school is still an expensive exercise. The cost of uniforms, lunches, schoolbooks, extracurricular activities, voluntary contributions, lunches, tablets, apps and the rest quickly add up.
While successive governments deserve credit for implementing measures that have eased the financial burden on parents , more can be done.
Two separate studies published recently highlight how difficult this time of year can be. First, there was a report from the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) which suggested that a third of parents will go into debt or be forced to deny their children at least one back to school item. A separate study from the children’s charity Barnardos reported that most parents are worried about meeting costs this autumn.
It is easy to see the benefit of free school book schemes and the hot meals service for primary school children, while increased capitation grants have taken some pressure off schools. But there is still work to be done.
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It is perplexing why so many schools still favour expensive crested uniforms found in higher-priced outlets over generic ones selling at a fraction of the cost in large retail chains across the country. Making the simple switch could easily save many parents €100 or more per child.
Voluntary contributions are another enduring bugbear. The average in primary schools is close to €100 per child rising to around €150 in secondary schools. Most parents do not feel these payments are remotely voluntary.
While parents should not be put under pressure, it is hard not to have sympathy for schools with no option but to levy parents because State funding is insufficient. At the very least all schools should be given enough money to keep the lights on and the classrooms warm through the winter. While we must expect schools to be frugal, we cannot allow them to be miserable.
