Kildare And Wicklow ETB Call On Government To Tackle Inequalities In Education Sector

Representatives from Kildare and Wicklow ETB have met with members of the Oireachtas at a briefing event where they expressed their concerns.

Wicklow politicians in attendance included Senator Pat Casey.

 The event marked the official launch of the SupportYourLocalETB campaign and was organised by Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), the representative body of 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) nationwide. 

The four priorities outlined in the campaign that ETBI and its members are calling for government support on include:

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.