Vol. 405 No. 2
109 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she will outline (1) the current maximum class size permissible in primary schools under the pupil/teacher ratio now provided for, (2) the maximum size when reduced pupil/teacher ratio of 25 to 1, promised for next year comes into effect, and (3) the way she proposes to ensure that no schools have to organise classes in breach of these maximum sizes.
School authorities, in particular the principal teachers, are responsible for arranging the organisation of national schools so as to ensure that no class exceeds the following guidelines: 39 (in the case of a single-grade class-group); 38 (in the case of a class-group with two consecutive grades); 35 (in the case of multi-grade class-group).
If a primary school is unable to organise its total enrolment to remain within these guidelines my Department will be happy to examine the details of the case in conjunction with the school authorities.
