The next school year which begins in September '07 will see
parents being asked by the primary school managers and
principals not to pay huge costs for their children's education.

This applies to the State School system and not the private
sector { where fees are payable of up to 3,500 euros for the
upkeep of one student}.

The State school system in ireland is meant to be free.

It is not:

The books are not free.
There are no hot school dinners available to Children.
Some children live in such poverty that the schools provide
porridge and sandwiches to them.
They wear second hand clothing.
Volunteer groups pick up kids and drop them to school because
parents in difficult situations cannot bring them.

This is Ireland, the sixth richest nation on the Globe, yet people
are so busy being afraid of falling into the traps that they witness
on a daily basis that they would rather close their eyes and pretend
it is not there.

Parents are asked for:
1. A 'voluntary'contribution- 75-100 euros.
2. Fund-raising money (bread sales are popular, where thrown out bread
from a good bakery is given to local schools to re-sell to contribute to
heating costs)
3. Raffles.
4. book- donations.

Add to this the cost of clothing, health care, shoes, medical
and daily lunches and some people just cannot meet the costs, which
can run to 750-1000 euros from term1 to term 3.

The principals have to do both curriculum, social work and outreach
and they witness on a daily basis the let down of a generation
of kids by greedy and unscrupulous politicians.

They are asking people not to fund-raise so that the State
which is corrupt will take responsibility for the future generation.
Other problems include the brain drain of teachers into the private
schools and the thatcherite policies of parties that are satisfied
with the run-down in order to hive off and manage the state
school system as a business interest.

We really shouldn't pay. I will update during the campaign on non-payment.