The school policy decisions made by government officials in the 1960s have had a significant impact on the way the country has developed since that time.

This is the view of Irish Times writer Graham Love, who highlighted how then minister of education Donogh O'Malley brought in free secondary education, despite plenty of opposition to these plans.

He remarked: "Even today, decades later, their precise effect cannot be calculated. But most of us know they have been pivotal in Ireland's transformation from an agricultural society to a modern state."

Mr Love explained that many people questioned the benefits of such school policy at the time.

In his opinion, state officials should try to make sure their strategy is not only led by the need to balance the books, since effective decisions can have a significant impact on the nation.

This week, chief executive of the National Consumer Agency Ann Fitzgerald was quoted by the Irish Examiner as saying that specialised school uniforms are placing financial stress on families.

Written by Donal Walsh

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