asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that in certain national schools in the Dublin area where classes contain more than 50 pupils, the method adopted to reduce the size of classes under orders from his Department has been to move the best pupils in the class into a higher class so as to reduce the class numbers to 50 per class; and that this procedure has been carried out in the middle of the school year to the detriment of the educational programme of the children involved; whether he considers this a desirable method of attaining the necessary reduction in the size of classes; and if he will have this practice investigated with a view to avoiding educational harm to the children in these schools.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin School Classes.
89.
As I have previously stated, I am having a complete survey made with a view to getting rid of large classes. This will be achieved in either of two ways—by reorganising existing classes or where this cannot be done without educational loss by the provision of prefabricated classrooms and additional teachers. I am satisfied that the Department's Inspectors would not act contrary to my instructions by recommending reorganisation in any case where there might be educational harm done to the pupils.