An insider’s guide to education

- The "big-spending'' areas of health and education are reportedly being targeted by department of finance mandarins as the fiscal crisis continues.

These reports have unleashed great apprehension across the education sector.

But the scope for another “slash and burn” exercise in schools and colleges is very narrow – not least because over 70 per cent of the €8billion in education funding is absorbed by pay and pensions for teachers, lecturers and the rest.

Ideally, Finance would like to increase class size but Fianna Fáil committed itself to no increase under the terms of the revised programme for government with the Greens. The return of student tuition fees is also off the agenda for similar reasons.

And the Department’s own audit appears to rule out deep cuts in special needs provision.

So what will be cut?

Clearly, the Department will cut into support services for teachers. This process has already begun but it will only bring in small change.

What about the big ticket items?

Cuts in teachers’ pay are back on the agenda if the Croke Park deal is rejected. But that is still uncertain.

What else is there? The Department would love to close hundreds of small schools.

And it will certainly be very reluctant to authorise any new schools. This explains why it is determined that children of all faiths and none will be accommodated in one school building. The ancient regime where every patron could demand their own school has been quietly consigned to history.

But closing small schools in rural areas? That would be a bridge too far for many Fianna Fáil backbenchers.

The other big ticket item, of course, is the millions spent supporting third-level research. Critics (some of them at the Cabinet table) say all this research money is still failing to deliver new jobs.

But the Government would not dare cut research funding - or would it?

- That wasan interesting debate on RTE's Today with Pat Kennyon fee-paying schools.

Despite a very difficult wicket, the deputy headmaster of Belvedere College, Séamus Finnegan appeared to score a surprise win in a lively debate with UCC law lecturer James McDermott.

That said, some influential figures in the Department and across the teaching unions are continuing to question the €100 million subsidy to these schools. But Mary Coughlan has no intention of taking on a hugely powerful and influential lobby.

The State subsidy to the Blackrocks and the Belvederes is secure – at least until the change of government!

- That recentarticle in these columns on the joys of the Finnish education system provoked a huge reaction from readers.

There is a huge appetite for a new, more flexible education system and one more in tune with our economic and social needs.

Everyone appears to accept that investment in education is critical for Ireland’s economic recovery but there is a conspicuous shortage of good, practical ideas.

The typical Finnish classroom (pictured) we featured in the article looked familiar but the results achieved there were not. If we are serious about emulating top achievers like the Finns we need a more flexible education system, better qualified and better trained teachers (especially at second level), much greater autonomy for schools and more independent learning.

A new onus on school leadership where the principal can focus on teaching and outcomes - instead of leaky roofs - is also essential.

Sadly, there is little chance of this kind of transformation. The vested interests are too entrenched and the policymakers lack the necessary resolution.

So, what else is new?

- This isthe final Teachers' Pet until after the summer break. The column will be back to inform, (hopefully) entertain and irritate in September. Email us, in the meantime in confidence, at teacherspet@irishtimes.com