RESOURCES will have to be poured into primary education as the starting point of any effective anti unemployment strategy, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, the National Parents' Council (Primary) and the Church of Ireland Board of Education have said in an unprecedented joint election statement.
"Pupils whom the system has failed at primary level have little hope of success at post primary level," the organisations say.
They suggest that £50 million per year spent on primary school buildings would eliminate the many substandard schools.
"Nowadays, almost all primary schools are required to fundraise for essentials. It is axiomatic that where schools are dependent on parents and teachers fundraising, the facilities in the school will be determined by the relative wealth of the community. Small rural schools and schools in disadvantaged areas will suffer as a result."
The groups say the priorities for an incoming government should include a reduction of the pupil teacher ratio and an increase in the number of administrative principals.