Universal preschool education is a good idea for Ireland

Despite the constant worsening state of the Irish economy and our dear leader’s aversion to any sort of good governance, the government actually made a sensible policy decision. It is a difficult sentence to write. This is the same government that funded the property bubble which has set our economy into a downward spiral with no end in sight.

This is also the government that has cut welfare allowances for the unemployed, cut cultural funding, imposed tax levies on the public sector, and health levies on us all. This is the government that possessed the information that Anglo Irish Bank was teetering on the brink of total collapse but kept quiet. This is the government that nationalised that same bank because the grassroots of the majority party banked there and the government’s support base would vanish overnight. This is the government that created the National Asset Management Agency to make sure that their property developer buddies do not go bust, against the advice of all the major economists and the vast majority of the people. So, dear reader, you will understand that to admit that this government has made a policy decision with which I agree, is difficult.

In short, Barry Andrews, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, is introducing free universal preschool education to replace the Early Childcare Supplement which is currently paid directly to parents.

Naturally there is opposition. The Competition Authority has already investigated claims by some preschools that the Minister’s plan amounts to price-fixing because the grant does not take geographical standards of living into account:

Parents can opt for a year-round pre-school place that operates for 50 weeks of the year, in which case the child will receive a free two hours 15 minutes per day, five days a week; or for a 38-week service that offers three hours per day, five days per week.

The scheme will be funded by the Department of Children, which will pay a capitation grant per child: €48.50 per week directly to the childcare provider for the 50-week service; €64.50 for the 38-week service; and a higher rate of €75 for providers with extra qualifications and experience. [source]

*batteries not included full movie

It will be paid weekly by the State and top ups by parents will not be permitted. The complaints have been dismissed because top ups would create a two tier system, of the kind already in schools, and increase the inequality in education.

One in six preschools have rejected the scheme as a “one size fits all” policy. They are looking for a voucher system and top ups by parents to be payable. They say that they cannot function at this level of income.

Yet this is one of the wisest decisions taken by a member of this government for a long time. In fact, I would be pressed to find another. There will always be the knockers and the begrudgers. There will always be those who object to government scheme. One cannot please all of the people, all of the time.

Universal preschool education cannot but help children begin their school in an equitable manner. Income disparities have led to the isolation of students and as a result places at universities and technical colleges have been filled primarily by the children of the middle classes.

Many parents can afford after school grinds, music lessons, cram colleges, foreign exchanges and all the advantages of the current system. These extras come with entry into secondary school and in preparation for the Junior and Leaving Certificate. The Leaving Certificate is the single most important exam for those who wish to continue their education. Now, even if the government is unwilling or unable to tackle social inequality, at least every child will have the same start in the educational life. It is possible that the induction into learning at a very young age may inspire disadvantaged children to continue their education.

This government has presided over increased class sizes, cuts in grants for disadvantaged children and those at risk of dropping out, cuts in special needs resources and cuts in staffing. The last two budgets could be described as anti-child. In light of this, free universal preschool education is very welcome. Now, if the Minister would like to work on the rest of the system, that would be just fine by me.