Educate Together

Today, we are delighted to join in celebrating SNA Appreciation Day! 💙

At Educate Together, we know and value our Additional Needs Assistants (ANAs) for the incredible work they do. They are the supportive, caring, and dedicated individuals who help make our schools the inclusive communities we are so proud of.

From fostering independence to providing essential care and building strong, positive relationships, our ANAs go above and beyond for our students every single day 🌟

We want to say a massive THANK YOU to every ANA in the Educate Together family. You are truly appreciated!

Share your thanks to our ANAs in the comments below! 👇

New home, same brilliant spirit 🏫

Huge congratulations to Ardee ETNS and Shellybanks ETNS as they move into their brand-new school buildings! 🎉 From long-awaited plans to doors finally opening, what a moment for the pupils, staff, and school communities.

Here’s to bright classrooms, big ideas and even bigger futures ✨

Read the full story: https://www.educatetogether.ie/news/shellybanks-etns-and-ardee-etns-move-into-their-new-school-buildings/

📢 Primary schools are struggling to make ends meet

Primary management bodies and Fórsa are calling on Government to increase the primary school capitation rate by at least €50 per pupil in Budget 2027 — bringing it from €274 to €324.

New analysis shows 71% of primary schools ran a deficit last year, with an average shortfall of €8,288. 40% relied on voluntary contributions from parents to cover running costs.

Schools should not have to depend on parental fundraising for essential day-to-day costs.

Read the full press release 👉 https://www.educatetogether.ie/news/primary-management-bodies-call-for-e50-increase-in-primary-school-capitation/

Educate Together CEO Dr Emer Nowlan signed a joint letter to the Minister for Education alongside several other education organisations. The message? Primary schools need more funding.

The current capitation grant of €274 per pupil isn't cutting it. Schools are struggling to cover basic running costs. 71% of primary schools ran a deficit last year. In our 2027 Pre-Budget Submission, we call on the Department for a minimum increase to €300 per pupil.

Read the full RTÉ article here: https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0921/1592421-school-capitation-budget/

Once part of Educate Together, always part of Educate Together 💛 Check out our Alumni & Friends network — a space for past pupils, past parents, former staff and supporters to reconnect and stay part of the movement.

If that's you (or someone you know), we'd love to have you join us 💕

👉 https://www.educatetogether.ie/alumni/

📢 Volunteer Opportunity: Chairperson of the Board of Management at Portlaoise Educate Together National School

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced individual to contribute to a modern, dynamic charity that guarantees equality of access and esteem to all students, regardless of their background.

Apply here 👉 https://www.boardmatch.ie/board-vacancy/portlaoise-educate-together-national-school-chairperson-board-management

Today, on , we stand together in support of the right to education for every child. At Educate Together, we are committed to creating safe and inclusive environments where every child can learn and grow without fear. Education is a powerful tool for peace, equality, and progress—and we must protect it for every child, everywhere. Let’s work together to ensure that education remains a beacon of hope and opportunity 🌍 🧡

Join INEW to mark the International Day to Protect Education from Attack

On 9 September, the Irish Network for Education Worldwide (INEW) is bringing together leading voices to confront one of the most urgent issues of our time: the targeting of schools, teachers, and students in protracted crises.

Join this important online seminar exploring the legal frameworks designed to protect education, the unique challenges of ongoing attacks in fragile contexts, and a special spotlight on the situation in Syria.

🗓 Date: 9 September 2026
⏰ Time: 14:00 – 15:30
📍 Location: Online

This is a critical conversation for anyone working in international development, humanitarian response, or education policy. Don’t miss it.

Register here: 11ce0599-e5ec-4a4f-a3cb-e4b99d50b239@10f14de1-08df-491a-b8e8-4cf94a4897fd?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/11ce0599-e5ec-4a4f-a3cb-e4b99d50b239@10f14de1-08df-491a-b8e8-4cf94a4897fd?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog

Wishing a very happy retirement to our former Educate Together national office colleague Fionnuala Ward! 🎉 Fionnuala writes in today's Irish Times:

‘I’m officially retiring from my primary school - and I’ve had a good run’ It’s the ultimate cliche, but it’s the kids I’ll miss the most, and their ability to say it as it is