LWETB urges TDs to tackle education inequalities

A call on government to commit to tackling inequalities in the education sector has been made by the Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB).

Representatives from the board met with members of the Oireachtas at a briefing event in Buswells Hotel, Dublin and urged them to meet the inequality issue by supporting the priorities laid out in the #SupportYourLocalETB campaign.

Westmeath TDs Sorca Clarke and Robert Troy, as well as Longford’s Deputy Joe Flaherty were among the Oireachtas members in attendance at the briefing, which was organised by Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI).

The four priorities outlined in the #SupportYourLocalETB campaign that ETBI and its members are calling for government support are: 1. Increase the number and profile of Community National Schools nationwide; 2. Increase in the Deputy Principal allocation in ETB post-primary schools with DEIS designation; 3. Increase in funding for Further Education and Training (FET) so that funds reflect the proportion of learners, and ring-fence €600m in funding for the FET Colleges of the Future project, due to commence in 2028; 4. Restore funding for youth work to pre-austerity levels and ensure pay parity for youth workers.

ETBI general secretary Paddy Lavelle told TDs: “The 16 ETBs across Ireland offer excellent, equality-based, inclusive educational opportunities to learners of all ages. We are proud to support Ireland’s diverse population of learners – and have a proven track record of doing so. We are delighted to launch our #SupportYourLocalETB campaign and our political priorities for the coming year. We are calling on the government to commit to supporting our work. TDs can also raise these issues, and ensure these priorities are included in their party’s manifesto for the next general election,” Mr Lavelle said.