asked the Minister for Education the estimated total number of teachers required if the school-leaving age were raised to (a) 15 years and (b) 16 years at once, and if the accepted average class were forty pupils or less.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Raising of School-Leaving Age: Teachers Required.
59.
The raising of the school-leaving age would carry with it the clear onus of providing for the additional pupils in post-primary schools. The figure of 40 pupils per class mentioned in the Deputy's question could relate only to national schools and would have no relevance in relation to the raising of the school-leaving age. The operative figure would be about 18 pupils per teacher involving in the region of 1,100 extra teachers if the limit were raised to 15 years and a further 1,650 teachers if it were raised to 16 years.
Is it contemplated that before 1970 the school-leaving age may be raised?
It is hoped so.
Before 1970?
Yes. By 1970, it is hoped to have a sufficient number of teachers and sufficient schools to make it possible to raise the school-leaving age.
Meanwhile, what will the extra teachers be doing?
As we make available teachers and accommodation, children are coming in without compulsory raising of the school-leaving age. We already have two-thirds of the 14-15 age group attending school full-time without compulsion. This is because, as accommodation becomes available, the children make use of it. It may never be necessary to have compulsory raising of the school-leaving age because as teachers and accommodation become available, there will be a voluntary raising of the age.
Would you apply the same principle to the language revival?