School Completion Programme Cuts Another Hammer Blow – Crowe

Local Sinn Féin representative Seán Crowe TD   has said government cuts to the School Completion Programme (SCP) over the past three years are acting as a hammer blow with its impact on some of the countries most vulnerable children.

Crowe said  that the scale of cuts in the programme’s funding will inevitably impact on 470 primary and 224 post-primary schools as it tries to implement educational interventions for approximately 36,000 students.

Deputy Seán Crowe said;

“The  cuts in the School Completion Programme are acting as a hammer blow to the countries most vulnerable children and will create crevices in the system where  vulnerable children will fall through

“The school completion programme aims to retain young people in the formal education system to  completion of senior cycle and generally to improve school attendance, participation and retention of its target cohort

“The  latest  6.5% reduction announced in this year’s budget, highlights a policy drift coming from the government that is prepared to allow the most vulnerable sections of Irish society  shoulder unfairly the heavier elements of austerity.

“The school completion programme has played a vital role in ensuring and supporting  students, regardless of their individual circumstances or family background, and gives them the opportunity to complete his or her schooling to Leaving Certificate level.

“Those involved in the programme work in some of the  most disadvantaged communities and it has become a vital and an integral part of the school system. The wealth experience that it has gained in building relationships and working with students, families, and outside agencies has been  invaluable, particularly at a time of rising unemployment and increased levels of disadvantage.

“The  programmes provides a number of supports including provision for breakfast, lunch and after dinner clubs which help ensure children receive an adequate meal during their time at school and  greatly  enhances a child’s capacity to study and learn.

“The majority of schools supported by the school completion programme receive this assistance as part of the school support programme under the DEIS initiative

“Added to this is the academic supports offered to students and the programme figures show that it has a proven track record in helping to improve school attendance.

“In my own constituency of Dublin South West these school completion project benefits hundreds of students.

“ The cuts actually harm the education system, do not add up and should be  reversed.

“The cuts greatly impact on the education of children from low income backgrounds and they should be eradicated as part of the comprehensive review of expenditure due to take place in 2014.”