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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Jun 1991

Vol. 409 No. 4

Written Answers. - Pupil-Teacher Ratio.

Jim Higgins

Question:

228 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education if she will outline (1) the number of primary school classes which have a pupil-teacher ratio of 25:1 or lower and (2) the number of primary school classes which will have a pupil-teacher ratio of 25:1 or lower on 1 September 1991.

As the Deputy will be aware under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, the overall pupil-teacher ratio will be reduced 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 required to achieve the 25:1 ratio in September 1992; this process will aim at reducing overly large classes and meeting the needs of the disadvantaged. The position will be reviewed at the end of 1993.

As the Deputy will also be aware the pupil-teacher ratio is obtained by dividing the number of teachers into the number of pupils enrolled in national schools.

The figure, provisional, for total enrolments in national schools on 30 September 1990 is 543,000. The total number of teachers at present is 20,447, giving an overall pupil-teacher ratio of 26.5:1.

Projected enrolment for September 1991 is 534,400. The estimated number of teachers is 20,700, giving an overall pupil-teacher ratio for the year 1991-92 of 25.8:1.

The overall pupil-teacher ratio includes, in addition to ordinary class teachers, administrative, non-teaching, principals, teachers in special schools and classes and remedial teachers.

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