A range of measures that will affect the education system been announced as part of yesterday's (December 5th) Budget statement from the government.

As of next year, schools will lose the separate allocation they have for guidance and guidance provisions will therefore have to be managed by schools from within their standard teacher allocations – the Department estimates this will yield net savings of 500 posts when provision is made for the reduced staffing schedule for DEIS schools.

The Back-to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance has also been abolished for two and three-year-olds. In addition the rate of the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance will reduce from €305 to €250 for children aged 12 years or more and from €200 to €150 for children aged 4-11 years.

Transport costs for primary school pupils are set to double to 100 euros. The overall family maximum charge of €650 remains unchanged as does the post primary charge of €350.

Primary and secondary schools will see a two per cent reduction in funding for capitation and related grants from next year, with a further one per cent cut to follow in each of 2014 and 2015. Fee paying schools will have their Pupil Teacher Ration increased to 21:1 with effect from the 2012/12 school year.

Funding for higher education institutions cut by two per cent, while student contributions to third-level education will rise by 250 euros.

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn said "difficult decisions" needed to be made and, while some adjustments to teacher numbers will be "unavoidable", the government hopes to shield frontline services as much as possible.

Other budget measures announced include:
*changes in entitlements to teachers qualification allowances;
*Abolishment of the ‘Modern Languages in Primary Schools Initiative
*Administration fee paid to school for the supervision/substitution scheme to be reduced.
*Abolition of grants towards costs of student teachers’ attendance at summer gaeltacht colleges.

Further details on yesterday’s budget and it’s impact on the education section can be viewed here.

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