Save money by spending more on Education

[Prester Jim]

It has been said by many an economist and social commentator that spending money on education saves money in the long term.
There is a link on this post to a study by the teachers college in the prestigeous Columbia University which outlines a the benefits they found to the finances by investing in education and ensuring graduation.

Briefly an overall investment of $83,000 per student gives a public benefit of $209,000. A net benefit ot the state of $127,000 per student or 2.5 times the cost.

The saving comes from massive savings on health, welfare and crime.

We have much greater costs in this country for welfare than in the states and i would guess that prison place here costs more also. Health cost here compared to the virtual disregard for the poor in the US would certainly suggest that overall the saving to the taxpayer could be much higher here.

This is ignoring the other feelgood and happiness benefits that would accrue from lower crime, increased health and wealth etc.

The question is not should we cut education but how much more should we be spending.

I don't need to get into the embarrassingly low amount of money this state spends on education by international standards.


http://www.cbcse.org/media/download_...al_Jan2007.pdf

[smitchy2]

Are you suggesting that more money should be paid to teahers/lecturers here.
c80% of education spend goes on wages.

[goosebump]

It has been said by many an economist and social commentator that spending money on education saves money in the long term.

And what about the short term? That's just a province of Fantasy Land, is it?

I don't get the absence of logic here.

Education requires that we pay teachers cold, hard cash. We don't have enough cold hard cash, and we can't raise any more by borrowing or taxes.

It would seem like a fairly straightforward situation to me, but then again, I don't have a wishy-washy Arts Degree that entitles me to comment on social issues of this nature.

[The Caped Cod]

The Department of Education has yet to spend half it's 2009 budget
RTÉ News: Education Dept yet to spend €396m of budget

How is this possible when kids are being taught in crappy prefabs?

[Prester Jim]

Are you suggesting that more money should be paid to teahers/lecturers here.
c80% of education spend goes on wages.

Of course not but if you read the report you will see that there are programs which keep people in education and assist them to stay until graduation.
This is what I am talking about.

Teachers pay will (and should be cut) but we are damaging the country in a multitude of ways including financially by abandoning education.

[Prester Jim]

And what about the short term? That's just a province of Fantasy Land, is it?

I don't get the absence of logic here.

Education requires that we pay teachers cold, hard cash. We don't have enough cold hard cash, and we can't raise any more by borrowing or taxes.

It would seem like a fairly straightforward situation to me, but then again, I don't have a wishy-washy Arts Degree that entitles me to comment on social issues of this nature.

Neither do I, I have a PhD in molecular biology and a dip from the Smurfit institute in management none of which qualifies or disqualifies me from reading a very easily presented report.
You don't need degrees to read a report and understand the facts of it.

No as i said also teachers pay should be reduced along with all PS in a gradated manner with the top taking the much bigger hit.
this thread aint about pay so I will not bother to answer any more queries about it.
it is about the financial gains, cold, hard cash that is saved by investing in making people finish school and if possible go on to further education.

[Rebel CNC]

We spend plenty but too much wasted on indulging a fairly cushy lifestyle for teaching staff at the expense of investment in other aspects of the education system.

Benchmark teachers pay against EC average and plough the savings back into new schools, equipment, special needs students, etc.

Also, cut the summer holiday break by a month.

Work time for teachers 'one of lowest in OECD' - The Irish Times - Sat, Sep 26, 2009

[Prester Jim]

The Department of Education has yet to spend half it's 2009 budget
RTÉ News: Education Dept yet to spend €396m of budget

How is this possible when kids are being taught in crappy prefabs?

I would love all govt spending to be made readily freely available so could all study where the waste is. I think that we would be shocked and maybe some reform would ensue.

I think a radical solution might come from allowing the public see the administration of the different depts public.
perhaps webcams in every civil servants office and weblogs of work done for a year so we can see the real work and the real waste. I know it is unworkable but I don't trust the mandarins to tell us where we should cut as they have vested interests in maintaining their own desmesnes.

[smitchy2]

Of course not but if you read the report you will see that there are programs which keep people in education and assist them to stay until graduation.
This is what I am talking about.

Teachers pay will (and should be cut) but we are damaging the country in a multitude of ways including financially by abandoning education.

You can't increase the education spend any ore this year Jim- something about borrowing €20 odd billion as we stand!

Unless the amount spent on pay is reduced your programs cannot be considered no matter how worthy in nature.

[Prester Jim]

We spend plenty but too much wasted on indulging a fairly cushy lifestyle for teaching staff at the expense of investment in other aspects of the education system.

Benchmark teachers pay against EC average and plough the savings back into new schools, equipment, special needs students, etc.

Also, cut the summer holiday break by a month.

Work time for teachers 'one of lowest in OECD' - The Irish Times - Sat, Sep 26, 2009

Once again not advocating cushions for teachers or better pay etc. this is about other spending on resources etc.
read the summary in the report at least.