[Swidemaiskikemu]

I have worked in a few countries on the top over the years and the state support for the child is very good.

In Sweden if a couple is having a child there is a year of pergency leave to be taken by the couple between them with the minimum for either being 3 months.

In France an employee can go on 80% of his or her salary and take a day off a week (usually Wednesday) and mind there child. France has a half day on wednesday.

My school in Ireland used to have half day Wednesday and Saturday and use the afternoon on sports and other activties. I was a state school.

The countries on the top are all very state school orientated with very little private schools compared to the ones on the bottom. Thats a simple fact.

This encourages classless society in Education. Offering third level free education offers every child the opportunity to become a doctor or engineer. Access in all these countries is taken strictly on academic results to the finest instituions available. Grants are given to the under privileged.

Ireland spents way more money on education in disadvantaged area than the more prosperious.

Is our system perfect? No. But we are trying to achieve more. We know that our economy relies on an highly educated workforce. Picking the best academically rather than financially gies our country the best opportunity.

Think of this way. If your are preparing a team of runners for the olympics at an early stage, do you start with the kids that can afford private coaching or do you go for kids which a fast.

A future workforce needs the brightest to be put in the more demanding courses while the less academically qualified should be in courses which they are good at.