Lessons to be learned from uniform victory

THIS year marks the 50th anniversary of the introduction of free education in this country. The initiative was led by the late Donogh O’Malley, one of the greatest pioneering ministers in the State’s history.

His decision to abolish fees up until the old Intermediate Certificate transformed the lives of countless families across the country and, in the process, had a hugely beneficial effect throughout society.

Half a century on, however, there is a grim irony in the fact that many households are struggling to pay the ancillary costs that come with educating their children.

According to the Irish League of Credit Unions, one third of parents will find themselves in debt this year because of school expenditure. The figures show it costs over €1,200 in essential extras to get the average pupil through a school year. As anyone with children of school age knows, the additional outgoings range from textbooks to extracurricular activities, PE gear to voluntary contributions.

The statistics indicate that families who borrow money take out loans running into hundreds of euro. Increasing numbers are forced to resort to moneylenders.

These findings make for depressing reading. But there is one positive aspect to the research in that it shows the average cost of uniforms falling by €39 since last year.

The Irish Daily Mail has long campaigned for children to be allowed go to school in low-cost generic uniforms. There is no reason why they shouldn’t be let wear inexpensive supermarket jumpers, even if the authorities insist on a sew-on crest being added. Nor is there any reason why parents should be forced to buy from specified suppliers who charge astronomical amounts for the pre-crested versions.

Nevertheless, the fact that prices are coming down is a welcome development. But there is no room for complacency. The measures announced earlier this year to address the situation do not go far enough. It is imperative that the pressure is kept up to ensure that families are no longer ripped off when it comes to dressing their children. However, these latest statistics suggest families are also being ripped off when it comes to practically every other cost associated with going to school.

This isn’t good enough and the Government needs to act promptly. It is only right that considerable reserves of taxpayers’ money go into paying for our children’s learning. But that doesn’t mean parents should be milked at every turn.