asked the Minister for Education the average rate of absenteeism in primary schools in the Finglas area of Dublin in the past three terms of the school year 1972-73.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Finglas (Dublin) Schools.
6.
Mr. R. Burke
The percentage of average attendance of pupils in these schools is in the form of a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report.
Following is the statement :
|
School |
Percentage attendance during |
||
|
September Quarter 1972 |
December Quarter 1972 |
March Quarter 1973 |
|
|
St. Brigid's Junior Girls |
91.6 |
93.7 |
88.9 |
|
St. Canices |
91.5 |
90.2 |
83.5 |
|
St. Brigid's Senior Girls |
90.4 |
89.0 |
89.1 |
|
St. Brigid's Infant Boys |
93.7 |
89.9 |
89.9 |
|
St. Brigid's Infant Girls |
92.3 |
90.2 |
89.8 |
|
Muire na nGrás Cailíní |
93.1 |
92.5 |
92.0 |
|
Muire na nGrás Naionán |
93.2 |
88.8 |
90.3 |
|
St. Joseph's Girls |
92.1 |
89.7 |
89.8 |
|
De La Salle Boys |
94.6 |
94.1 |
92.1 |
|
N. Feargal, Boys |
95.0 |
88.5 |
88.6 |
|
St. Canices Boys |
92.5 |
90.4 |
88.0 |
|
Scoil an Pharóiste |
87.0 |
82.6 |
77.0 |
|
St. Kevin's Boys |
89.4 |
88.3 |
88.7 |
A Cheann Comhairle——
There can hardly be a supplementary on a tabular statement to be issued in the Official Report.
The Chair was pretty expert at it himself.
In my short time here I have heard such supplementaries. I should like to ask the Minister whether the figure would approximate to 40 or thereabouts.
Mr. R. Burke
There are 39 figures.
In view of the fact that the case made for this is that it is only possible to accommodate 40 if you have group teaching in a class——
Mr. R. Burke
I beg the Deputy's pardon. I misunderstood him. I thought he was asking me how many items were listed in the tabular statement.
No, it is the average student/teacher ratio in the Finglas area.
Mr. R. Burke
That is in the reply to the next question.
Gabh mo leithscéal.
7.
asked the Minister for Education the average student/ teacher ratio in primary schools in the Finglas area of Dublin.
Mr. R. Burke
The information requested by the Deputy is in the form of a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report.
Following is the statement :—
|
School |
Average pupil/teacher ratio March Quarter 1973 |
|
St. Brigid's Junior Girls |
35.9 |
|
St.Canices |
40.2 |
|
St. Brigid's Senior Girls |
33.7 |
|
St. Brigid's Infant Boys |
37.8 |
|
St. Brigid's Infant Girls |
37.0 |
|
Muire na nGrás Cailíní |
39.6 |
|
Muire na nGrás Naionán |
42.0 |
|
St. Joseph's Girls |
37.0 |
|
De La Salle Boys |
40.1 |
|
Naomh Feargal Buachaillí |
37.4 |
|
St. Canice's Boys |
39.5 |
|
Scoil an Pharóiste |
30.6 |
|
St. Kevin's Boys |
40.3 |
May I ask the Minister if the average would be in or around 40?
Mr. R. Burke
It ranges from 33.7 to 42.
Would the Minister agree that the case made for it is that such numbers can be accommodated only because you have the advantages of group teaching? If group teaching is prescribed for Finglas why is it not prescribed for other areas?
Mr. R. Burke
It is advocated but, for reasons well known to the Deputy, it cannot be introduced everywhere.
Referring back to the information the Minister gave me earlier, how can he have a situation in another school in which three different classes consist of one student per class? We are told that educationally that is possible.
Mr. R. Burke
The Deputy is trying to put it to the House that group teaching is in vogue in all our schools. Indeed, it is not. We are working towards that ideal, but it is not possible to have group teaching in every school.
Could the Minister say when it is hoped we will reach that ideal in Dunquin?
We have already dealt with that. Question No. 8.