Vol. 427 No. 8
30 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Education the number of additional primary teachers who will be employed from September 1993, in the context of the proposed revision of pupil-teacher ratios; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
49 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education the number of additional primary teachers who will be employed from September 1993, in the context of the proposed revision of pupil-teacher ratios; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
51 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Education when the pupil-teacher ratio in second level schools will be reduced to 19:1 in accordance with the Programme for Economic and Social Progress.
70 Mr. Burke asked the Minister for Education the number of additional primary teachers who will be employed from September 1993, in the context of the proposed revision of pupil-teacher ratios; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
118 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Education the number of additional primary teachers who will be employed from September 1993, in the context of the proposed revision of pupil-teacher ratios; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
223 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she expects pupil-teacher ratios to improve in the 1992-93 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
262 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the degree to which she expects to improve the pupil-teacher ratio in 1993; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 49, 51, 70, 118, 223 together.
The pupil-teacher ratio at primary level was 27.5:1 in the 1988-89 school year and following successive improvements in the staffing appointment-retention schedule has been reduced to effectively 25:1 in the current school year. The pupil-teacher ratio will be further reduced in 1993-94 to 24.2 : 1.
This improvement will be achieved by retaining approximately 200 teaching posts which will become surplus due to falling enrolments of pupils. Improvements in the pupil-teacher ratio at primary level have been achieved in recent years, despite the severe financial restraints necessitated by the position of the public finances. The ratio will be improved still further in the coming years, as a result of the improvements agreed under the Programme for Partnership Government.
In accordance with the provisions of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress the pupil-teacher ratio in second level schools will be reduced to 19 : 1 with effect from the next school year, 1993-94.
