asked the Minister for Education if he will sanction the appointment of a metalwork teacher for Moyne Community School, County Longford.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Longford Teacher.
25.
The enrolment at Moyne Community School for 1976-77 did not warrant the appointment of more teachers than were already serving in the school. An additional appointment of a metalwork teacher could not accordingly be sanctioned in that year. The position will be reconsidered for 1977-78 in the context of the enrolment and staffing appropriate to that year.
Would the Minister not consider the fact that metalwork is a special subject and that the lack of a teacher in such a school takes away from the whole ethos of the school?
There is a metalwork teacher there.
I am aware of that but some pupils cannot be catered for because this appointment was not made.
As the Deputy understands this ratio of 20 to 1 in post primary schools goes back a number of years. All teaching sanctions for these schools has been as near as possible within that ratio. In fact the school in question exceeds that quota in the current year by 3¾ teachers.
It still does not help when it is a specialist subject that is involved. The general teachers can be employed but the special——
I understand that, but the Deputy will also understand that if every school were to be given what they would consider a complete allocation of teachers necessary to cater for every pupil in that school the Department could not make any effort at attaining the 20:1 ratio.
Would the Minister not agree that in vocational schools the ratio is better and that this is the type of subject usually taught in vocational schools? In view of the fact that there are qualified metalwork teachers idle, would he not consider that an adjustment could be made for a special subject?
The Department endeavour to maintain the 20:1 ratio as far as possible. In fact there are schools where it is barely 20:1 and in this school it is better than that ratio. When I come to answer later questions put down by the Deputy about the number of unemployed metalwork teachers at present I think he will find the position is not as suggested.
The remaining questions will appear on the Order Paper for the next sitting day.