asked the Minister for Education the percentage of (a) State and (b) voluntary post primary schools which have a (i) metal-work room, (ii) wood-work room and (iii) gymnasium.
Written Answers. - Post-Primary Schools.
278.
Second level schools are classified as secondary, comprehensive and community, and vocational.
As the Department do not have a complete inventory of the accommodation facilities of secondary schools, I am not in a position to give the information requested in respect of these schools.
The percentage of community-comprehensive and vocational schools which have the facilities in question is as follows:—
Metalwork rooms —80 per cent approximately
Woodwork Rooms —90 per cent approximately
Halls-Gymnasia —20 per cent approximately
279.
asked the Minister for Education the number of (a) State and (b) voluntary post primary schools in the country.
280.
asked the Minister for Education the pupil-teacher ratio in (a) State and (b) voluntary post primary schools; and the plans, if any, to reduce these ratios.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 279 and 280 together.
Second level schools are classified as secondary, comprehensive and community, and vocational.
The number of schools in each category in the school-year 1979-80 was as follows: Secondary, 529; Comprehensive and Community, 45; Vocational, 246.
The number of teachers to whom incremental salary may be paid in secondary schools is calculated in general by reference to a ratio of one teacher to 19 pupils.
In the case of comprehensive and community schools the corresponding ratio is one teacher to 18 pupils.
Teachers are allocated to vocational education committees with reference to a guide-line of one teacher to 16.5 pupils.
In all cases the principal and vice-principal of the school is outside the quota, as is the guidance teacher in the case of a school with 250 or more pupils.
I consider the existing ratios to be satisfactory in current circumstances.