12/11/2013

Sinn Fein Call For Affordable School Uniforms

The cost of school uniforms needs to be more affordable, regardless of the result of a parent survery, Sinn Fein Education Spokesperson Jonathan O’Brien has said.

While he welcomed the news that parents of pupils are to be surveyed on school uniforms, Mr O'Brien said: "The Minister’s idea that there should be a survey of parents to see what they want should be welcomed as a positive acknowledgement that many families find school uniforms to be hugely expensive and have problems providing them for their children.

"Every year Barnardos publish research showing the cost of a school uniform in many schools is exorbitant. The price involved which includes the need for a PE kit, is putting many families under severe financial pressure and especially affects those who have several children.

"Many schools view uniforms as tool of equality when everyone has to dress the same, however if they are not affordable for some they exacerbate inequality.

"The Minister has a responsibility that whatever comes of this survey, school uniforms are affordable to all families, and if it is a case that the majority of parents decide they want an expensive uniform he needs to come up with a creative solution that ensures no child is financially prohibited from getting the uniform they need."

(MH/IT)


Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

08 July 2015
Call For Govt To Help Parents With Back-To-School Costs
The government is being urged to help parents after a survey revealed "unacceptably" high rates of back-to-school costs. The results of the survey, carried out by the Irish League of Credit Unions, have been described as "shocking". Sinn Féin Education Spokesperson Deputy Jonathan O'Brien the burden is getting too much for parents.
09 December 2013
Schools To Start Surveying Parents On School Uniforms
The Minister for Education & Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., is requesting schools to start balloting parents on school uniform policy. This move is aimed at giving parents a much greater say on what uniforms, if any, a school should have and in turn to tackle the high costs of some uniforms.
08 March 2013
Summercove National School Removed From Priority List
Fianna Fáil Senator Denis O'Donovan has slammed the Education Minister for removing Summercove National School from the priority list for a new school building despite the fact it has been on this list for 12 years. Senator O'Donovan commented: "Summercove National School has been on a priority list for a new school building for 12 years.
25 September 2012
Minister For Education Commits To 100 New Schools
The Minister for Education has announced that more than 100 new schools are to be built over the next five years to cope in order to cope with a “massive rise” in the number of children who will need school places.
21 September 2012
Parents Critical Of Plans To Convert Store Into Special Need Class
Plans of new €4.2 million primary school in Co Cork to adapt a storeroom to accommodate special needs children have been rejected by the parents. The school has just two special-needs classrooms for three special-needs classes.