asked the Minister for Education the average number of pupils in each class in (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) vocational schools at the latest date for which figures are available; and the ratio of pupils to teachers in each case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Size of School Classes.
76.
The returns for post-primary schools relate to grades. As these may be divided into two or more classes for the teaching of individual subjects it is not possible to furnish information requested by the Deputy in relation to the average number of pupils per class. The average number of pupils per teacher is 32 in the case of national schools, 22 in secondary schools and 16 in vocational schools.
What would the Minister consider to be the ideal figure?
It is difficult to say.
One would think the Minister for Education would be able to answer that question.
In relation to primary schools we are trying to achieve 35.
In how many cases was it over 40?
I have not got that information here.
Would the Minister make it available to me please?
In many cases in Dublin city it is over 50.
In some cases. However, over the years, and because we are supplying more teachers each year, the number is reducing. In a recent written reply I indicated that, in the past four or five years, the number of schools with over 50 has gone down very considerably.
There were cases in the city of Dublin five or six years ago where there were over 90. It was a disgraceful and outrageous position.
We are reducing the number.
You are doing better but you will need to do a great deal more to bring the figure down to 35.
Can the Minister give the figure for the number over 40?
If these figures are available.