Sir, – Mark Candon (December 14th) alleges that supports to disadvantaged schools are being dismantled because Government did not increase the pupil teacher ratio in all primary schools. I wish to state categorically that bigger classes in all schools are not an alternative to cutting supports to disadvantaged schools. Both are educationally and morally wrong.
There has been a revolution in disadvantaged schools in the recent past.
These schools are now nurturing, caring places for many of the country’s poorest children. Pupils are flourishing, emotionally and educationally.
Attendance, literacy and numeracy scores and social development are up significantly and many parents let down by an old education system are now involved in their children’s education.
This has not happened in a vacuum. Investment in disadvantaged schools brought this progress and last week’s Budget will see its demise.
But Mr Candon’s suggestion is wrong. Protecting disadvantage at the expense of other children will impoverish every child. Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn must find a different “legacy” for children in disadvantaged schools or small isolated rural schools that doesn’t deprive all children. – Yours, etc,