Students Without Field Trips: A Consequence of the Economic Crisis?

Abstract

This paper examines one of the consequences of the current budgetary cuts in the educational system affecting primary education pupils. The main purpose of the study was to determine how the economic crisis is impacting the daily life of a public school located in a rural environment. Half-structured interviews of a broad range of educational community sectors including teachers, pupils and families revealed how the changing economic situation of many parents (now unemployed) and of the school (with a lower budget) have resulted in fewer educational activities outside the school setting, such as field trips to visit natural sites and other cities, to participate in sport events, or to attend activities organized by other institutions, among others. We believe that this situation clearly shows how children are victims of political decisions that do not take them into account and limit their opportunities to develop and grow. While politicians justify these measures due to budgetary constraints, we believe that they are driven by other factors, and that the economic crisis is being used as an excuse to infringe upon children's right to receive a quality education.