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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 May 1991

Vol. 408 No. 4

Written Answers. - National Schools Pupil-Teacher Ratio.

Richard Bruton

Question:

188 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the maximum class size above which she will intervene under the terms of the new child-teacher ratio which will come into force in primary schools from September 1991.

The staffing of national schools for a particular year is determined by the enrolment in the school on 30 September of the previous year. This is in accordance with the agreement between the Government and the INTO under the Programme for National Recovery.

School authorities, in particular the principal teachers, are responsible for arranging the organisation of national schools so as to ensure that no class group 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) and 35 (in the case of multi-grade class-group).

My Department recently announced the introduction of a new maximum class size of 28 for one-teacher schools with more than four standards, which will be implemented for the 1991-92 school year.

If a primary school is unable to organise its total enrolment in September 1991, to remain within these guidelines my Department will be happy to examine the details of the case in conjunction with the school authorities.

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