asked the Minister for Education the anticipated pupil-teacher ratio in relation to (a) primary schools, (b) secondary schools and (c) vocational schools over the next five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Pupil-Teacher Ratio.
285.
Staff in national schools are allocated for each school year on the basis of the number of pupils on roll on the preceding 30 September and by reference to a school's position within the enrolment ranges set out in a schedule governing the appointment and retention of staff. This in turn results in a pupil-teacher ratio.
It is not possible at this stage to predict accurately the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools for the next five years as this will depend not only on the level of reduction which occurs in overall enrolment from year to year but also on other factors.
It has been agreed that the schedule governing the staffing of national schools will remain unchanged for 1989-90 and that it will be improved in 1990-91 with reviews thereafter on a regular basis in the light of available resources. The best estimates available at present are that the pupil-teacher ratio will remain at approximately 27.7:1 in 1988-89 and 1989-90 and that it will improve to approximately 26.7:1 in 1990.
Arising out of discussions held in 1988 under the aegis of the central review committee of the Programme for National Recovery the Government undertook to review the pupil-teacher ratio for post-primary schools with the parties to the programme in 1990 and in the light of prevailing circumstances to aim to improve the pupil-teacher ratio to 19:1. The Government further agreed to review the position after 1990 in the light of any further fall in enrolments.
It is not possible to say at this stage what the position in regard to pupil-teacher ratios at post-primary level will be over the next five years pending consideration of the matter in consultation with the interested parties.