Sinn Féin welcomes education report
Sinn Féin spokesperson on education Seán Crowe has welcomed the report on educational advantage and has challenged the Minister for Education Mary Hanafin to act in light of its findings.
Deputy Crowe said: “The Minister can talk all day about how much money is being pumped into eradicating educational disadvantage, but if it is not impacting positively in our schools then something is wrong.
“There is a serious problem if the bulk of money is allocated to students at third level, where a significant proportion of students from areas of high disadvantage won’t even make it to the gates.
"According to Department of Education Key Education Statistics, €5,000 was spent per primary level pupil whereas nearly €9,000 was spent per pupil at third level in 2004.
“The report also highlighted literacy problems and this must be addressed, as literacy and numeracy difficulties among pupils are still very much a matter of grave concern with around 1 in 3 children in disadvantaged areas experiencing problems.
