In one of the most powerful street demonstrations in recent years, up to 60,000 teachers, parents and children marched through Dublin on Saturday to protest against budget cuts that campaigners claim have put Irish education back into the last century.

The demonstration followed a month of regional protests, including one in Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian Cowen's home town, Tullamore.

Irish National Teachers' Organization general secretary John Carr told the Dublin protesters in Merrion Square that the presence of so many on the streets sent a clear message to the government about the kind of society people wanted for their children.

"A message has been sent that people don't want children herded into overcrowded classes," he said.

He said the protest made a statement that while economic well being is important, we live in communities of people, including children.

He added, "Adults will play a part and pay their fair share in finding a resolution to the current economic crisis. But we will not support a savage and misguided attack on children which is this government's solution.

"Shame on the minister who thought up these cutbacks. Shame on the Cabinet that approved these cutbacks. Shame on the government that would implement these cutbacks."

Pat Hurley of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland roared from the back of a lorry, "Children cannot be made pay for government incompetence."

Brian Flood, principal of Courtnacuddy National School in Wexford, said, "It nearly brought tears to my eyes when I saw the crowd. We all feel so strongly about this. We are all hoping that the minister is going to take into account the huge numbers that took to the streets for the protest."

Another school head, Raymond McHugh of St. Macartan's College in Monaghan, said, "The minister is saying that these cuts will only put us back two years but he is wrong. The reality is that the cuts are going to put us back to 1999 levels."

Despite the huge turnout, Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe gave no hint that the government is prepared to compromise on the cutbacks announced in the budget and which will mean fewer teachers for larger classes and - protesters claimed - loss of some vital extra-curricular activities.

"I know that some of the measures, particularly those affecting schools, are unpopular but the gravity of the financial situation we face makes them absolutely necessary," O'Keeffe said.