What to consider about recent financial cuts

Financial cutbacks may be impacting the level of education some students are receiving.

11:10 06 May 2013

Many schools have been plagued by fewer school funds to distribute than they have in previous year, leaving the schools in a state of financial turmoil. Classes are being increased and teachers have been required to adapt to more populated classrooms as schools try to improve the status of their financial situations.

 

What does that mean for students?

 

• Less one-on-one time with teachers.

 

• Students who require a little extra attention to learn material won’t receive the amount they need.

 

• Certain programmes in schools are being cut to compensate for the loss of funds.

 

• Lowered morale due to poor results on testing and academic career.

 

What does the financial situation mean for teachers?

 

• Fewer resources available to the students.

 

• More work to compensate for lack of resources.

 

• Underperforming schools.

 

• Higher stress levels for taking on more children than recommended per classroom.

 

• Further disparity between schools with proper funding and those without.

 

• Most likely teachers will not receive the pay rise they might have previously expected.

 

The trend is slated to continue into 2014 with funding expected to fall an additional 3%. This could probably cause more programme cuts in order to make up the financial gap left behind. The per child funding dropped from £5,620 to about £4,645, but only for certain schools because of a specific way that funds were distributed. The scenario is being dubbed a historical anomaly, but a 3% decrease across school funding indicates that changes in the way funds are distributed may be in order.

 

In the meantime, some of these schools may benefit from the recent offer of the Roman Catholic Church to help underperforming schools in the effort to improve the educational status of all the institutions, and as a way to improve the financial position so that students will not suffer severe setbacks in their education.