A new study has found the majority of people in Ireland would be opposed to large-scale cutbacks in the country's education system in the next Budget announcement.

This is according to a survey conducted by Behaviour and Attitudes on behalf of the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI), which found three-quarters of respondents said there should be little or no reduction in funding.

Only four per cent felt education should be subjected to the same level of cuts as other sectors, while 55 per cent agreed that state subsidies for private establishments should be abolished.

President of the TUI Bernie Ruane stated the quality of education will suffer if cuts are made, as it will lead to fewer teachers in schools, which will hit key subjects such as physics and maths.

"Quite simply, the education service can sustain no more cutbacks if it is to continue to offer even the most basic frontline services," he added.

Recently, Department of Education statistics released by the Irish National Teachers' Organisation revealed Ireland's class sizes are among the largest in Europe, with one in five lessons involving 30 or more students.

Written by Donal Walsh
 

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