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A NEW REPORT has revealed how spiralling costs associated with sending children to school are forcing parents to go hungry.
According to Barnardos’ annual School Costs Survey, launched today, 11% of primary parents and 21% of secondary parents are forced to borrow money to cover back-to-school costs.
The survey of more than 2,200 parents across the country found that the basic cost of sending a child to school increased at every level surveyed this year.
One anonymous parent who took part in the study said they now “worried for the future” after having to pay costs associated with sending their child to school this year.
Another revealed that they had gone hungry, given up going on family days out and had left bills unpaid just so they could afford to send their children to school.
The report revealed that the average cost of the basics needed for a senior infants pupil now stands at €360, up from €330 last year.
Parents of fourth class pupils now pay an average of €380, up from €365, while those of first year pupils pay €765, up from €745.
Over half of parents at both levels also reported an increase in the cost of school books this year, with the average price of books for primary school pupils now €95 and those for secondary school pupils now €220.
Meanwhile, 67% of primary parents and 71 % of secondary parents revealed they have been asked to pay a ‘voluntary’ contribution to their schools ahead of the new term.
This cost ranged from an average of €90 for a senior infants pupil, €80 for 4th class pupils, and €135 for students entering first year in secondary school.
On average, around one in six primary school parents reported their child needed a tablet or laptop for school, although 95% said that schools cover the cost of the devices.
This rose to 25% among secondary level parents, with 81% of those reporting that parents had to cover the cost of the devices.
The fees for the transport scheme remained unchanged at both levels, costing €100 for primary school pupils and €350 for a secondary school pupils.
Commenting on the report, Barnardos CEO Fergus Finlay claimed that parents across the country were tired of having to pay for what should be free education.
He said: “They are fed-up of being forced to amass debt or fall behind on essential bills year after year in order to cover the most basic costs of their children’s education.”
The charity also said that the Government had a constitutional responsibility to provide free education, and called on politicians to make the issue a political priority.
Finlay added: “Parents are not blind to this injustice, they are aware they are bridging the gap between statutory investment in education and the actual cost of sending a child to school and they’re tired of it.
“We heard loud and clear from parents this year [that] they are fed up with the fallacy that Ireland has a ‘free education’ system.
“The political body would do well to listen to them.”
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Was there this time last year amazing how many people cycle and how straight they sit up on their bike and everyone of these cyclists obey the lights not like in Ireland
@Alan Scott: Do everyone of their motorists obey the lights also. I nearly got hit by one at lunch who decided to break a read and swing around the corner.
@Darren Byrne: I’ve seen 1 or 2 car driver not to obey traffic lights in a month – and 2-5 cyclists doing that DAILY.
@cortisola: I’ve seen motorists break lights, cyclists break red lights and pedestrians. I win.
@Craig Bell: No arguments @Craig?
@Alan Scott: and this relates to the article, how?
@cortisola: If you think the Dutch don’t break lights you’re nuts. I break lights every day on my bike, when it’s safe to do so. How is that harming anyone? Do you also reserve some ire for jay walkers? Or is that ok?
How about drivers texting? Or racing towards amber lights? I see that every day.
@Eoin Fitzpatrick: “I break lights every day on my bike” – Funny as many people here would say you don’t. Are you sure they are RED ? Maybe just REDish??
Amsterdan is a great place to go window shopping if youre flight is delayed.
@Peter Dowling: I was there with my mother when I was 14 and it was mortifying.
Been staring pointlessly out the window, about 7km from Schiphol. Always nice to watch the planes wobble their way to and fro on such days. But this explains it.
@Sandra O’Fucáif:
Its not the worst city to have to spend a night in
@Sandra O’Fucáif: You could kill a few hours in the banana bar:-)
@Sandra O’Fucáif: If your flight is cancelled, catch the train to central station. The Golden Tulip hotel usually have availability, good rates and is easy to get to from there.
@Sandra O’Fucáif: smoke some devil’s lettuce, be grand
@Sandra O’Fucáif: Well if you do get stuck: http://www.mulligans.nl/
You can watch The Banjacks play trad on the famous airmail stamp sized stage, Amstel 100. :)
Hope you get home though. Always a bummer. But if not, go and enjoy yourself.
@Dj: yes but best to get in early before it gets busy
This storm is what passed over us last night. Thankfully it didn’t pick up strength while it was here. Red warnings in The Netherlands and Germany
Well lads, the sun is currently shining in Amsterdam. I guess we’re in the eye of the storm.
Well not any more. The wind is picking up again and it’s raining as well now.
In fairness there’s always a status red near central station off Damrak
The Dublin to Amsterdam flight scheduled to leave at 6. Actually departed at 8 and was then diverted to Frankfurt… joy
https://www.reddit.com/r/Unexpected/comments/7r8p0l/current_weather_in_the_netherlands_little_windy/
You know it’s windy when people are blown across the ground!
@Sam Harms: And we dare to complain here in Ireland…
@cortisola: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGAab6Kfdzc
@cortisola: I was watching those containers from the ship I’m working on.
Very obliging people in amsterdam
Global warming will destroy society as it stands…
Just avoided this by 1 day thank god
have your say