Industry News
'Parents prefer private education'
Posted on 24th August 2007
A study by has shown 40 per cent of parents in Ireland would prefer to have their children educated at a private school.
The survey by Irish Life has found many parents believe independent schools allow children to perform better and to reach their maximum potential.
It found that parents do consider state schools good value but as a child grows older, they become increasingly anxious it should be educated privately. Once a child reaches 16 years old, 54 per cent of parents believe private school is important.
The survey also found two thirds of families with more than one child were concerned about whether they could afford to support more than one child through higher education.
Karl Symes, spokesperson for Irish Life, told the Evening Echo: "The best advice to parents who worry about supporting a child through college is to plan early."
A recent survey by NatWest in Britain found 28 per cent of students receive regular cash from parents to help with studies and 26 per cent get financial help "as and when they need it".