Standing up for primary education in the 2024 general election

With Ireland at a crucial point in its education journey, Ireland’s National Teachers’ Organization (INTO) has introduced a General Election Manifesto identifying 30 critical areas requiring public investment by 2030.

Our goal is ambitious: to create the best primary and special education system in the world.

This ambition is not mere rhetoric; it is a necessity. A world-class education system is the foundation of a thriving society, and the responsibility of any new government is to ensure that every child gets an unparalleled start in life.

The OECD underlines that equal access to quality education is the backbone of a fair society. To achieve this, INTO calls for a 5% increase in the share of total government expenditure on the education sector between 2026 and 2030. Primary education is the foundation of all social progress, and it is clear that the success of an education system is closely linked to the success of the teaching profession. As noted by the UN High Level Panel on the Teaching Profession.

“If we start transforming education systems, we can transform working conditions in schools, transform the practice of teaching, transform learning and transform lives.”

The challenges facing primary and special education today are significant, but so are the opportunities. By taking a comprehensive approach that meets the diverse needs of students, teachers and schools, Ireland can create a system that not only meets but exceeds international standards. Our manifesto calls for smaller class sizes, improved teacher training and professional learning opportunities for teachers, improved infrastructure and increased resources for special education – all designed to take our education system to new heights.

We must also address the ongoing housing crisis, which has significant implications for teacher recruitment and retention. A future administration must commit to solutions that ease this burden on our teachers and support their essential work.

The INTO pledges to champion an ambitious agenda that prioritizes the needs of our students and teachers. Teachers are at the heart of our education system and it is crucial that they are supported, valued and empowered to inspire the next generation.

We urge the next government to link this ambition to action. The time for incremental changes is over; now is the time for a transformative strategy that meets the needs of every child across the country. By embracing this vision, we can ensure that Ireland not only meets future challenges, but also plays a leading role in education excellence.

Together let’s make Ireland a beacon of educational success, where every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

The future of our nation depends on it.

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