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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 5

Written Answers. - Pupil-Teacher Ratio.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

311 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the average pupil-teacher ratio in primary and second level schools in County Kildare; the schools recording the highest and the lowest ratio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21733/00]

The information requested by the Deputy for the 2000-01 school year is not available as the data in respect of pupil enrolments has not yet been submitted by all schools to my Department.

The Government since taking up office has introduced a range of initiatives to help reduce the pupil teacher ratio in primary schools. The pupil/teacher ratio has declined from 22.2 to 1 in the 1996-97 school year to 20.4 to 1 in the 1999-2000 school year.

The retention of posts arising from the demographic dividend in the current year together with the creation of an additional 200 posts primarily to tackle educational disadvantage will help further to reduce the pupil/teacher ratio in the 2000/2001 school year.

An additional 1,000 teaching posts are being allocated at second level in the 2000-01 school year. A proportion of these posts were provided to facilitate the reduction from 19:1 to 18:1 in the pupil teacher ratio for appointment purposes.

The actual pupil teacher ratio at second level has been reduced significantly in recent years. The creation of the additional posts, combined with an anticipated fall in enrolments, will result in a further reduction in the actual pupil/teacher ratio in the sector.
Under the terms of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness an additional 900 teaching posts will be created at primary level and 400 at second level. These additional posts will further reduce the pupil/teacher ratio at both primary and second level over the period of the programme.
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