Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Oct 1993

Vol. 434 No. 2

Written Answers. - Pupil-Teacher Ratio.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

450 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education the latest available figures on class size and pupil-teacher ratio in primary and post primary schools in the State; and the same figures for schools in each of the other EC states.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The pupil teacher ratio in first and second level schools, having regard to the total number of teachers, is approximately 24.2:1 and 17.4:1 respectively.

Up to date details of the position in other EC states are not readily available. However the latest available details published by the OECD indicated that the pupil teacher ratio at first and second level was as follows:

Country	Primary	Post-Primary
Belgium	—	8.3
Denmark	11.7	11.1
Italy	12.8	9.2
Luxembourg	13.7	10.9
France	17.0	13.4
Netherlands	19.1	20.0
United Kingdom	21.4	16.5

Details for Spain, Portugal, Greece and Germany are not available.

In the post-primary sector, class size varies depending on the subject choice of pupils within individual schools.

The latest year for which figures on class sizes at primary level are available is 1991-92. The average class size in that year was 29.6.