Question:
261 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science the average classroom size in the greater Dublin region; the national average classroom size; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16069/00]
Written Answers. - Pupil-Teacher Ratio.
Following clarification I understand the Deputy's question refers to class size rather than classroom size.
The average class size in primary schools in Dublin in the 1998-99 school year was 27.1 pupils per class. The national average class size was 25.6 pupils per class.
The higher average class size in Dublin schools is due mainly to the fact that the staffing schedule which determines the allocation of teacher posts is designed to ensure that schools with multi-grade classes have more favourable class sizes. Since multi-grade classes are more prevalent in small rural schools than in large urban centres, it is inevitable that the average class size would be greater in the major cities.
I should point out that the pupil-teacher ratio, has been reduced significantly in recent years. In the current school year the PTR is 20.4. The retention of the posts arising from the demographic dividend for the current school year will further reduce the PTR.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I am allocating an additional 200 teaching posts at primary level for the 2000-01 school year, primarily to tackle educational disadvantage. Furthermore, under the programme for prosperity and fairness, an additional 900 teaching posts will be created at primary level, which will further reduce the PTR over the period of the programme.
Question:
262 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science the national average classroom size for the following class categories: junior infants; senior infants; first class and second class; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16070/00]
Following clarification I understand the Deputy's question refers to class size rather than classroom size.
The national average class size in single grade classes in primary schools in the 1998-99 school-year for the standards specified by the Deputy are as follows:
|
Standard |
Average Class Size |
|
Junior Infants |
25.4 Pupils |
|
Senior Infants |
27.0 Pupils |
|
First Class |
27.4 Pupils |
|
Second Class |
27.4 Pupils |
|
Total Single Grade Classes |
27.2 Pupils |
It should be noted that the above figures are for single grade classes only. The total number of single grade classes in 1998-99 was 9,619 out of an overall total of 17,042 classes. Because of the nature of many primary school classes, with consecutive and multi-grade classes making up 7,423 classes, it is not possible to give average class size in these cases for the standards specified.
Question:
263 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science the pupil-teacher ratio at primary school level and at secondary school level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16071/00]
I presume the Deputy is referring to the actual or de facto pupil-teacher ratio which is derived by dividing the number of pupils by the number of teachers.
In the current school year at second level the ratio is of the order of 15.1:1. The creation of 1,000 additional teaching posts, combined with an anticipated fall in enrolments, will result in a further reduction in the actual pupil teacher ratio in the sector next year.
The pupil teacher ratio at primary level in the current school year is 20.4:1. The retention of the posts arising from the demographic dividend together with the provision of an additional 200 teaching posts will further reduce the pupil-teacher ratio for the 2000-01 school year.