Motion no: 42
Recognising that high-quality, appropriately accountable, universally accessible, non- selective, free and community-based public education is one of the pillars of a truly participative, democratic society and also recognising the positive co-relation between levels of educational attainment and quality of life, employability, national prosperity and economic resilience, Congress notes that: Investment in education was severely restricted during the period of austerity. Service to students suffered accordingly, throughout all sectors of the public education system. The morale of those working in the public education service was signi cantly undermined. The discriminatory treatment in relation to pay that has been applied to teachers, lecturers and other education staff appointed since 2011 accelerated the erosion of morale. Congress also notes that: There has been a steady pattern of economic growth since 2015.Significant public investment in education is both necessary and possible. The benefi t to individual citizens and broader society deriving from such public investment is safeguarded by appropriate statutory regulatory frameworks. In the absence of public investment, elements of the public education system will be vulnerable to opportunistic incursions by for- pro t private businesses/corporations.Such incursions reduce the quality of education provision, are inimical to the principles of equity and inclusion, erode the pay and other conditions of employment of education sector workers, weaken regulatory protections and lessen democratic accountability. Private sector incursions are motivated by shareholder value and not by commitment to the social contract and the common good.Congress therefore requires the ICTU to demand that investment by the State in public education be substantially increased and that such investment be targeted so as to address and ameliorate disadvantage where it exists and, in that context, to: >Enhance early childhood provision. Progressively improve the pupil/teacher ratios at primary and post-primary levels. Restore the capacity of schools to provide the requisite levels of support for students, including support for inclusion, for special needs and for students who exhibit challenging behaviour or are otherwise at risk. Repair staff morale by ensuring equity in relation to pay rates. Ensure parity of esteem and equitable provision for adults returning to education and Provide a range of viable progression routes and curricular offerings, suitable to the needs of learners. Acknowledging:. The acute and immediate nature of the funding crisis at third level. The multiplicity of competing demands on the public purse and the need. Therefore, signi cantly to increase the funds available for public investment, andin order also to ensure an appropriate contribution by corporations, that fairly re ects the signi cant bene t to them of access to a highly educated and skilled graduate labour pool that the public education system provides,Congress agrees that the ICTU will actively demand and advocate for application of a levy of 1% to corporate profits, the proceeds of which will go to a dedicated Higher Education Fund.
