Although when I first wrote this paper about equality in the Irish Education system there was a great disparity in both opportunity and outcomes within it, recent developments have led to a swift eroding of any gains that had been made up to that point. With the advent of changes in grant and support provision to enable access to third level, more and more individuals from impoverished and working class backgrounds are being excluded from third level, not because they do not have the ability and desire to progress themselves, but because they cannot afford to attend college..
I have witnessed the distress of many who have had to drop out after the first term because fees and maintenance grants, although approved, were not forthcoming. These individuals quite simply could not survive and remain in college. They had no other means of support other than their maintenance grants and perhaps some part time work if they were lucky. They were being harassed, in some cases, by the third level institutions in which they were studying, to pay fees that had not been met by the Department. The fact that fees were outstanding also caused great difficulties as the students could not access the full range of facilities, such as library access, that were necessary to support their studies. The fact that our government does not seem to have any figures in relation to this at present does not stop me making the assertion that when the figures are revealed they will evidence an increase in the drop out rates in particular from individuals who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.
The disparity in support and provision is also strongly evidenced in the primary sector. Our national schools are being ravaged by cuts. We have fewer teachers and SNA’s in spite of the fact that the government, in their wisdom, have insisted that children with disabilities and/or special educational needs be integrated into mainstream schools. It is both irresponsible and unfair to children, parents and staff to expect them to support such individuals without adequate provision. We have seen children being denied their educational rights due to lack of basic supports that would enable them to fully participate in school with their peers. Children with literacy issues will, once again, fall foul of this curtailed service, denying them the basic level of education needed for them to achieve their potentials and to thrive as they move on to second level. Parents are distressed by the chaos that ensues due to both educational and behavioural issues in our classrooms, issues that could be, if not eliminated, at least minimised, with proper provision. Staff are not receiving the supports that then need from the Department of Education, supports that would enable them to better deal with their increased workload. It is even more frustrating that disability groups are being excluded from planning for special needs pupils.
You may feel that your child has the ability and intelligence to do well regardless of these cutbacks, but remember that every individual within a class that does not have sufficient resources is affected by this lack. There are increased levels of behavioural problems, which disrupt teaching and learning, due to the lack adequate SNA provision. Indeed some children who are just starting school have been denied an SNA allocation even though it is apparent that they cannot participate in their education without this support.
With all these issues in mind it is apparent that the education system that we have long been so proud of is suffering damage at present that will take much time and effort to rectify. Even with that effort it will be too late for some that have been left too far behind, or who have just given up due to the cynical bureaucratic system that seems designed to frustrate those who want to progress but do not have the benefit of having a family who can support them financially.
In brief, the conclusion made in the initial paper still stands, although the disparity is now even more pronounced. We leave ourselves in a untenable position as a country, when on one hand we seem to be exporting all of our most educated and talented youth, and on the other are doing nothing to ensure ongoing education and training to provide us with a pool of well educated and competent individuals in the future.
We have long been told that our level of training and education is of great benefit to us as a nation, and that having such a competent and educated workforce is what draws foreign investment to our shores. What are we doing when we cannot allow our youth access to further education? It would appear that the government would rather see them unemployed and idle, than engaged in education? They are being forced into working in ‘internships’ for little benefit to themselves. The benefit of these Jobsbridge and Internship programs seems to lie firmly with the big companies (who are getting almost free labour) and the government (as they can adjust the unemployment figures to make it look like things are not so bad).
I would like to say more, but in reality the facts speak for themselves. In this country the rich are still getting richer. If you owe small amounts of money to the bank, you will be hounded in order to make you pay. Those who borrowed obscene amounts of money to speculate appear to get away scot free, and those of us who have just enough to scrape by on are being made to pay. When will it stop? When will we see some proper justice? Justice that holds the incompetent to task and forces the government to re-examine the lack of humanity that has developed in its institutions. A lack of humanity driven by greed and avarice of a few, that impacts on us all.
I have witnessed the distress of many who have had to drop out after the first term because fees and maintenance grants, although approved, were not forthcoming. These individuals quite simply could not survive and remain in college. They had no other means of support other than their maintenance grants and perhaps some part time work if they were lucky. They were being harassed, in some cases, by the third level institutions in which they were studying, to pay fees that had not been met by the Department. The fact that fees were outstanding also caused great difficulties as the students could not access the full range of facilities, such as library access, that were necessary to support their studies. The fact that our government does not seem to have any figures in relation to this at present does not stop me making the assertion that when the figures are revealed they will evidence an increase in the drop out rates in particular from individuals who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.
The disparity in support and provision is also strongly evidenced in the primary sector. Our national schools are being ravaged by cuts. We have fewer teachers and SNA’s in spite of the fact that the government, in their wisdom, have insisted that children with disabilities and/or special educational needs be integrated into mainstream schools. It is both irresponsible and unfair to children, parents and staff to expect them to support such individuals without adequate provision. We have seen children being denied their educational rights due to lack of basic supports that would enable them to fully participate in school with their peers. Children with literacy issues will, once again, fall foul of this curtailed service, denying them the basic level of education needed for them to achieve their potentials and to thrive as they move on to second level. Parents are distressed by the chaos that ensues due to both educational and behavioural issues in our classrooms, issues that could be, if not eliminated, at least minimised, with proper provision. Staff are not receiving the supports that then need from the Department of Education, supports that would enable them to better deal with their increased workload. It is even more frustrating that disability groups are being excluded from planning for special needs pupils.
You may feel that your child has the ability and intelligence to do well regardless of these cutbacks, but remember that every individual within a class that does not have sufficient resources is affected by this lack. There are increased levels of behavioural problems, which disrupt teaching and learning, due to the lack adequate SNA provision. Indeed some children who are just starting school have been denied an SNA allocation even though it is apparent that they cannot participate in their education without this support.
With all these issues in mind it is apparent that the education system that we have long been so proud of is suffering damage at present that will take much time and effort to rectify. Even with that effort it will be too late for some that have been left too far behind, or who have just given up due to the cynical bureaucratic system that seems designed to frustrate those who want to progress but do not have the benefit of having a family who can support them financially.
In brief, the conclusion made in the initial paper still stands, although the disparity is now even more pronounced. We leave ourselves in a untenable position as a country, when on one hand we seem to be exporting all of our most educated and talented youth, and on the other are doing nothing to ensure ongoing education and training to provide us with a pool of well educated and competent individuals in the future.
We have long been told that our level of training and education is of great benefit to us as a nation, and that having such a competent and educated workforce is what draws foreign investment to our shores. What are we doing when we cannot allow our youth access to further education? It would appear that the government would rather see them unemployed and idle, than engaged in education? They are being forced into working in ‘internships’ for little benefit to themselves. The benefit of these Jobsbridge and Internship programs seems to lie firmly with the big companies (who are getting almost free labour) and the government (as they can adjust the unemployment figures to make it look like things are not so bad).
I would like to say more, but in reality the facts speak for themselves. In this country the rich are still getting richer. If you owe small amounts of money to the bank, you will be hounded in order to make you pay. Those who borrowed obscene amounts of money to speculate appear to get away scot free, and those of us who have just enough to scrape by on are being made to pay. When will it stop? When will we see some proper justice? Justice that holds the incompetent to task and forces the government to re-examine the lack of humanity that has developed in its institutions. A lack of humanity driven by greed and avarice of a few, that impacts on us all.