What is Stand Up for Education?
Stand Up for Education
A smarter future for all
Stand Up for Education is a campaign with the aim of mobilising public opinion to persuade government
- to increase the level of investment in education in Ireland to 7% of GDP by 2016
- not to target education for further cuts in future budgets and to reverse cuts imposed over the last two years
- to provide additional places in education for the government's employment activation programme by the removal of artificial limits on enrolment on Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) and other courses designed for this process.
7% of GDP target for Education
Economic recovery needs a change in thinking in Irish politics: We need to work together towards A smarter future for all. Education is the key to this future and to our economic recovery. It must be safeguarded as an equal right for all children, particularly those who are most vulnerable.
Education spending in Ireland is low by any acceptable measurement. While significantly increased investment in education may be unrealistic at present given the current income deficit, we advocate that there be an agreement to increase the education budget to 7% of GDP by 2016.
No further cuts to Education
The education sector has suffered significant cuts in recent budgets. These cuts have hurt students and their families. As a modern, civilised society we must, on behalf of our children, demand that no further cuts are made in upcoming budgets.
It is very widely recognised that cuts in education have a negative impact on our economic competitiveness and a disproportionate effect on the most disadvantaged students.
Additional Further Education and PLC places
The limited reversal of some of the cuts announced in the Renewed Programme for Government (October 2009) was a step in the right direction, as was the commitment not to worsen the staffing ratios for first and second level schools. We also welcomed the additional funding announced in Budget 2010 for training places and supports.
However, the Renewed Programme or Budget did not address the critical and artificial shortage of places in Further Education colleges and Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses caused by the imposition of a cap on places in spite of hugely increased demand.
PLC courses are a very cost effective way of up-skilling the population and restrictions on places make no economic, social or educational sense. In economic terms, the cost of the extra resources necessary to take on new students would be greatly offset by savings otherwise payable in the form of Jobseeker's Allowance.
Programmes provide students with specific vocational skills which enhance their prospects of securing employment or progressing on to further studies.
All economic commentators agree that the nation requires a highly skilled and well educated workforce to take on the challenges of new opportunities as soon as the green shoots of economic recovery appear. PLC courses can evolve quickly to suit the needs of the local community and as such are of an absolutely vital importance going forward.
