Education funding for classroom developments and charter schools w/ Post Primary Teachers Association junior vice president Kieran Gainsford: 30th July, 2024

The recent government decision to halt classroom developments across the country has met opposition from those working in the education sector, who say new developments are both urgent and necessary, including in the locations the government has chosen to put on hold. 

Additionally, the government has set aside $150 million for charter schools, which come with other controversies. Recently, the government announced changes to their charter school plans, which would give them access to the teaching resources given to public schools and prevent employers from negotiating a multi-employer collective contract with charter schools. 

Wire host Castor spoke to the Post Primary Teachers Association’s junior vice president Kieran Gainsford about the allocation of education funding and the government’s prioritisation of charter schools. We also speak further about charter schools - whether they work and the issues with blocking collective bargaining.