The financial pressures parents are under should be taken into consideration by the schools their children attend.

This is according to Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn, who has called on schools to be more sensitive to the issue and to demonstrate greater leadership over it, the Irish Times reports.

Mr Quinn explained the matter of school costs is one he has prioritised and he urged parents on school boards to ensure they follow any departmental recommendations on the subject.

He observed schools must be "sensitive to the financial pressures on parents, not only with school uniforms or books, but in respect of any matter that has cost implications for parents".

The comments come in response to Sinn Fein education spokesman Jonathan O'Brien's recent criticism of school costs in Ireland. Mr O'Brien's complaint centred around an instance where parents were warned by their child's school's board of management that there would be consequences if they did not buy a full uniform - yet the uniform would only be worn for one year. 

Written by Donal Walsh

Comments