Parents are bracing for increased ‘voluntary’ contributions this year as cash-strapped schools struggle to cover funding gaps.
The Catholic Primary School Management Association (CPSMA) warns that soaring costs, exacerbated by post-pandemic inflation, have created severe financial strain for many primary schools.
“We have never been contacted by as many schools with financial problems as we were last year,” said Seamus Mulconry, CPSMA general secretary.
He added that numerous primary schools would have faced dire straits if not for a cost-of-living payment, which equated to approximately €36 per student.
The Department of Education confirmed last week that the primary school capitation grant will rise from €200 to €224 per student, effective September.
This grant covers the day-to-day operational expenses of a school, including heating and electricity. Funding for post-primary education is also slated to increase from €345 to €386 per student.
“Covid created a cost-of-living crisis across the economy but particularly in schools,” Mr Mulconry said.
“If you were just to account for inflation, you’d need to have €280 [per student] just to bring us back to 2007 levels of purchasing power,” he added.
It is estimated that parents contribute around €54m through voluntary contributions and fundraising to support free education at the primary level.
When questioned about potential increases in voluntary contributions due to funding deficits, Mr. Mulconry stated: “I think there will have to be unless Government steps up to the mark and provides proper funding for schools.”
“At the moment, we have lots of schools that are getting twice as much for the free school meals scheme as they are to run a school.
“That money is coming in and going straight out. We need realistic funding for schools. We need to at least match what our colleagues in second level are getting.”
Schools have experienced increased costs across the board for items such as buses, insurance, day-to-day resources, school trips, repairs, and utilities. In some instances, annual heating bills have surged by as much as 80%.
Additionally, schools face new expenses related to software systems like Aladdin, or alarm and security systems.
Mr. Mulconry acknowledged that the Department of Education and the Minister for Education consistently emphasize that voluntary contributions are “voluntary.”
“Schools are going to have no choice. Fundraising of any kind for schools is a horrendously ineffective waste of a principal and a board of management’s time. They should be focusing on teaching and learning, not fundraising.
“In budgetary terms, it is loose change but it’s vitally important to schools and we need to see a very significant increase in [the capitation grant] if schools are not going to have to go out to parents, looking for much larger sums then they have looked for before.”
Meanwhile, Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn (Amlé) has criticized the Government’s “U-turn” on student fees, which will see third-level fees restored to €3,000, calling the decision a “cynical and calculated betrayal”.
A coalition disagreement is emerging after higher education minister James Lawless suggested that fees would revert to previous levels, following a €1,000 reduction implemented as a cost-of-living measure over the past three years.
During a Fine Gael private meeting last week, Tánaiste Simon Harris signaled his firm intention to advocate for a reduction in third-level fees in the budget.
