asked the Minister for Education the annual cost per pupil to the State of children in (a) secondary, (b) comprehensive, (c) community and (d) vocational schools, the equivalent cost per pupil in each of these categories five years ago; the reason for any significant difference that may exist as between the cost per pupil in different types of school; and the trends of increases in such costs as between the different schools over the last five years.
Written Answers. - Education Costs.
507.
Mr. Bruton
The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:
School |
Cost per pupil |
Percentage Increase |
|
1976 |
1981 |
||
Secondary |
£324 |
£748 |
131% |
Comprehensive & Community |
£376 |
£809 |
113% |
Vocational |
£401 |
£922 |
130% |
Community and comprehensive schools are taken as one unit for costing purposes.
The variation in cost per pupil as between the different types of schools may be considered to arise from the different circumstances affecting the administration of the schools, including, inter alia, the nature of the accommodation and size of classes, the range and type of subjects of the curriculum and the stage of development of each of the systems.