Thurs. July 31st , 2014

The Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) has strongly supported a new  Europewide call for greater government investment in education. 

In a statement this week, the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE), which represents over 11million teachers in 45 European countries, warned of the impact of consistent education budget cutbacks. It called on the new European Parliament and new European Commission to ensure action is taken to ensure adequate funding for education.

Mike Jennings, General Secretary of IFUT, said that European leaders should prioritise investment in education as means to increase potential economic growth in Europe and to reduce social inequality.

“Education is an investment in the workforce of the future. It has a key role to play in tackling the ongoing economic crisis and increasing social well-being and democratic participation in society.

“Investment in education, lifelong learning, skills and training are also crucial to achieve smart, inclusive and sustainable growth as envisaged in the Europe 2020 Strategy, he said.

“In congratulating Ireland’s recently elected MEPs and Phil Hogan on his appointment as European Commissioner, I also call on them to ensure that adequate funding for education, as well as related EU initiatives and decisions, are made a work priority for their terms of office,” Mike Jennings said.

ENDS

For further information on this media release contact:
John Gallagher, John Gallagher Consulting.  Tel. 087.9369888
Mike Jennings, General Secretary, IFUT.  Tel. 087.6776747.