Cllr Tomás Sharkey
Sinn Féin County Councillor and LMETB member Tomás Sharkey is calling for improved capitation grants for schools in the coming budget.
In a statement, Cllr Sharkey said cuts had gone too far in recent years but schools now needed support to provide better learning environments for students.
“For the last number of years we have seen the capitation funding for schools cut. This funding is to cover the running costs of our local schools. Only this summer the Louth Meath Education and Training Board was told that schools may be short of funds to pay for heating, lighting and maintenance as the financial year draws to a close.
“The Minister for Education has been informed by many CEOs of Education and Training Boards, management bodies and her own civil servants that there is a crisis in schools when it comes to paying bills. Without heating or lighting our schools would have to close. I find it hard to stomach reports that she is actively considering a 1% cut in this funding for schools in the coming budget.”
Councillor Sharkey, who is a second level teacher, said: “Everybody knows that schools have greater overheads than ever. More evening events than ever are being held in schools increasing heating and energy costs. There are huge changes in the curriculum increasing the demand for resources such as work sheets, projects that cost money to print.
“It makes no sense for this Minister to continue to starve our schools, teachers, students and families of the basic requirements for a proper learning environment.”
