What are some barriers to the right to education in Ireland?
1. Social background
Ability is only one part of getting on well in school. Social class or background can also have a big impact. Children from less well- off families can face the following barriers to staying in education:
• High costs, from the cost of uniforms, transport and books in secondary school to registration fees and accommodation at third level.
• Cultural issues: some families may never have had a member finish school or go to college. Sometimes, what is going on at home might make it difficult to study and do homework.
• Economic needs of the family may mean children leave school early to begin earning a wage and give some or all of the money they earn to their family.
A 2018 Barnardos survey of school costs in Ireland
EXPLORE
• something the government could do • something the school could do Use your imagination!
SCHOOL SAVINGS
Work with the person beside you to come up with three ways to reduce the cost of going to school. These could be:
• something parents could do • something students could do.
