Sir, – As a parent of a child in a fee-paying school, I must take exception to the thrust of Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin’s article (Opinion, March 21st). He does not acknowledge that parents such as my wife and I actually pay for the education of our children – unlike parents of children in the State system. Yes, this is expensive and yes, this is by choice. He is also misinformed on the issue of the pupil-to-teacher ratio. Our school has a 26-1 ratio compared to the 19-1 in the State sector, so students in the latter could be said to fare better.
He argues, “we must protect first and foremost the resources in those schools that depend completely on State support” . These, largely religious-run institutions have been shown to have had great failings in the past, as evidenced by the reports into their management and care. If anything, consideration should be given to increasing the State support for fee-paying schools (thereby reducing the burden on such parents), reducing this for State schools (while asking parents there to financially contribute to the cost of education of their children). This could lead to a more equitable education system. – Yours, etc,
STEPHEN RYAN,
Terenure Road West,
Dublin 6W.