Pat Rabbitte
Question:1160 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science if the information requested in Parliamentary Question No. 500 of 16 October 2001 is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1483/02]
Written Answers. - Pupil-Teacher Ratio.
The figures for pupil-teacher ratio and class-size in primary schools, relating to the 1999-2000 school year, are as follows: pupil-teacher ratio, 20.3; average class size, 24.8.
This calculation of average class size does not include pupils with special needs in ordinary national schools or pupils in special schools.
The following table provides data on pupil-teacher ratios at primary level in 1998/99 in European Union countries for which comparable information is readily available. The country means at EU, OECD and European levels are also provided. Comparable information on average class size is not available.
Ratio of students to teaching staff in European Union Countries (1998/99)
For all types of institutions (based on full-time equivalents)
|
Primary Level |
|
|
Austria |
14.5 |
|
Belgium (Flanders) |
13.9 |
|
Denmark |
10.6 |
|
Finland |
17.4 |
|
France |
19.6 |
|
Germany |
21.0 |
|
Greece |
13.5 |
|
Primary Level–contd. |
|
|
Ireland |
21.6 |
|
Italy |
11.3 |
|
Luxembourg |
12.5 |
|
Netherlands |
16.6 |
|
Portugal Data not available |
|
|
Spain |
15.4 |
|
Sweden |
13.3 |
|
United Kingdom |
22.5 |
|
EU mean |
16.0 |
|
European mean |
16.7 |
|
OECD mean |
18.0 |
Source: Education at a Glance, OECD Indicators, 2001.
Although the pupil-teacher ratio in Ireland is still above the average for European countries at primary level, it has been reduced very significantly at this level over the last decade leading to a considerable narrowing of the gap with the rest of Europe and the OECD. The Deputy may be aware that this Government has introduced a range of initiatives to help reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools. From a figure of 22.2 in the 1996-97 school year, the ratio has been reduced to a projected 19.0 in the current year. This has been achieved by the retention of the demographic dividend each year, together with the creation of additional teaching posts to improve the staffing schedule, to tackle educational disadvantage and to assist children with special needs.
The additional posts introduced since 1997 are as follows:
|
School year |
Demographic dividend |
New posts created |
|
1997/98 |
262 |
44 |
|
1998/99 |
190 |
|
|
1999/00 |
189 |
364 |
|
2000/01 |
210 |
200 |
|
2001/02 |
45 |
350 |
|
Total |
896 |
958 |
I have arranged to have copies of the staffing schedules for recent years forwarded directly to the Deputy.
In addition, since October 1998, a total of 900 resource posts have been created to cater for children with special needs. A further 66 teaching posts have been created to address the specific needs of non-national children enrolled in primary schools.
While the average class size has been reduced to 24.8 the number and proportion of pupils in classes of 30 or over, using the most recently available figures, based on data submitted by school authorities in relation to the 1999/2000 school year, are as follows:
|
1996-7 |
1999-2000 |
|
|
Number of pupils in classes of 30 or over: |
190,505 |
129,584 |
|
Proportion of pupils in classes of 30 or over: |
41.8% |
30.3% |
In recent years, improvements to the staffing schedules have facilitated major reductions in class sizes. The staffing schedule for the school year 1999-00 was structured to ensure that all primary schools would operate to a maximum class size of 30 pupils. Ultimately, however, the organisation of classes within each school is a matter for the board of management.
The Government will continue to provide for further reductions in the pupil-teacher ratio. Priority will continue to be given to pupils with special needs and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.