Vol. 437 No. 6
610 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education her response to the recent OECD report which showed that Ireland had the largest primary school classes in Europe and the second largest in the developed world; the additional resources, if any, she intends to allocate to ensure that Irish children do not suffer an educational disadvantage by significantly reducing class sizes; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the report "Education at a Glance” published by the OECD in December, 1993. For most countries, including Ireland, the data published in the report relates to the 1990-91 school year.
The average class size in Irish primary schools in 1990-91 was 30.3. However, this has fallen to 29.6 for the 1991-92 school year, the latest year for which statistics are available. In addition, the recorded pupil/teacher ratio for Ireland in 1990-91 was 26.6:1. The PTR has been significantly reduced in each subsequent, year and currently stands at 24.2:1.
It is estimated that the average class size at present is close to 29. This of course is an average and many classes are above or below the average. With a view to reducing class sizes further the Programme for Partnership Government provides that the pupil/teacher ratio in primary schools will be reduced to 22 to 1 by September 1996. My Department is currently examining the question of class sizes and the guidelines currently in operation at primary level.
