Vol. 405 No. 6
192 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in County Kildare; if any or all of these schools have a pupil-teacher ratio in excess of the national average; if she will indicate the schools which have a ratio in accordance with the national average; if she intends to take any action to improve the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
An average pupil-teacher ratio is not a norm but a mid-point where necessarily some schools are above and some below the national average. Also as there are over 90 schools in County Kildare it would take an inordinate amount of time to provide the information requested.
The pupil-teacher ratio for primary schools in County Kildare for 1989-90, the latest school-year for which statistics are to hand, was 29:1.
Under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress agreement has been reached between the Government and the social partners for a reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio at primary level to 25:1 by September 1992.
This will be achieved by retaining all existing posts in 1991 and 1992 and by creating 250 new posts in September 1991, and the balance to achieve the 25:1 ratio in September 1992. The position will be reviewed at the end of 1993.
