The ten groups making up the umbrella body, which represents school managers, principals, parents and teachers, are as follows:

• An Foras Patrúnachta
• The Catholic Primary School Management Association (CPSMA)
• The Church of Ireland Board of Education
• Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta Teo
• Educate Together
• Gaelscoileanna Teo
• The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO)
• The Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN)
• The National Association of Management Bodies in Special Education
• The National Parents’ Council - Primary  (NPCp)

Dónall Ó Conaill of An Foras Patrúnachta called on the Government to focus on other ways of saving money besides “the ill-advised decision to row back on the achievement of recent years in education”.

Declan Kelleher of the INTO stressed that the National Alliance was ready for "the long haul" on this campaign, right up to the local and European elections.

"It is our intention to fully expose those behind these cuts for what they have tried to do to the education of our four to twelve year olds," he said.