The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has condemned what it describes as a "black hole" in financial support for student teachers.
At a demonstration outside the Department of Education today, student teachers urged the Government to provide a training allowance to help cover essential equipment during their teaching practice.
In contrast to trainee guards and nurses, trainee teachers - whose expenses average €88 per week over 16 weeks of compulsory classroom teaching practice - receive no Government subsidy, said the USI.
Colm Hamrogue, USI President, said students of the arts, sciences and humanities are supporting student teachers in their claim and marched with them to Bertie Ahern's constituency office in Drumcondra, and on to the Department of Education and Science.
"The withholding of a practical training allowance creates a black hole in the finances of trainee teachers that causes some to drop out, and others to juggle full-time teacher training with paid jobs. This causes terrible financial anxiety and pressure," he added.
Shaun Conaghan, President St Patrick's Students' Union, said: "All students care passionately about the future of education. Today 2,000 trainee teachers gathered to demand quality in education.
"The Government was invited to attend today's protest and listen to our concerns but on this occasion no Minister was willing to meet with us.
"People will question whether this Government is truly committed to quality in education and the future education of our children."