Vol. 547 No. 2
1 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science when his Department received the McGuinness report on staffing and resource requirements in secondary schools; the reason for the delay in publishing this report; the main findings of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2849/02]
This report by an independent group of experts is the first external review of teacher allocation practice and policy in second level schools. The recommendations made in the expert group's report for future policy are currently under review in my Department. I welcome this report, which represents a comprehensive review of the important issues in teacher allocation policy in second level schools. It is a significant document which will help to inform discussion and decisions on policy options and development. I appreciate Dr. McGuinness and the other members of the expert group for their contribution and commitment in undertaking their task.
The report makes recommendations on teacher allocations in a number of areas, including: a special reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio for the first 150 pupils to provide greater choice of subjects for smaller second level schools; the further reduction of class sizes using posts freed up by the demographic dividend arising from the decline in student numbers; a further reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio for all disadvantaged schools; and improved teaching allocations for career guidance and improved allocations in respect of deputy principals by reducing the threshold from 1,000 to 850 pupils. Other recommendations include: a review of learning support teacher allocations to provide a more targeted approach at individual school level; a review of school management requirements and structures; the introduction of an effective cross sectoral redeployment scheme for supernumerary teachers based on the needs of the school; and clearer criteria for the allocation of posts on appeal and the establishment of an independent appeals board.
I am delighted to be in a position to deliver on our commitment to the reduction of the pupil-teacher ratio in secondary schools. In 1999, 225 additional posts were created. In the 2000-01 school year, 1,000 additional posts were created and a further 400 new posts will be created by the Government in accordance with the terms of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. The extra 1,000 teaching posts enabled a reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio from 19:1 to 18:1 for appointment purposes and further improvements in teaching post allocations targeted at programmes such as the leaving certificate applied, the junior certificate school programme and the guidance enhancement initiative. The pupil-teacher ratio has been reduced by this Government from 16:1 in 1996-97 to 14.8:1 in 2000-01. This figure will be reduced further this year to almost 14:1. I expect to announce details of the allocation of the 400 new posts in the coming weeks.
Additional InformationThe preliminary text of the report of the expert group on the allocation of teachers to second level schools, the McGuinness report, was received in my Department in July 2001. My Department then arranged to tender and engage contractors for the design, proofing and printing of the report with a view to its publication and dissemination. Final printed copies of the report were received in my Department in late November 2001. Following the Christmas period my Department arranged for the publication of the report. Copies are being sent to all interested parties and may also be accessed on my Department's Internet website.
When did the Department receive the report and will he publish it?
That is covered in the last paragraph of my reply.
Will the Minister accept that the findings of the report are a shocking indictment of our second level education system? He should not be so disingenuous as to try to mix and match between the additional staffing requirements, for which he will now provide and for which there is provision in the budget under the PPF, and what is contained in this report. The report recommends that 1,200 additional teachers are required in post primary schools. In respect of the 400 additional teaching posts sanctioned under the PPF, for which there is financial provision in this year's budget, will 100, 200 or 300 of those be prioritised – or how many of them will be – for post primary schools? Will the Minister accept that students in 1970 had a far better quality of education in respect of the pupil-teacher ratio than students have today? That is the core finding of the report and it is an indictment of the Department of Education and Science in respect of the current pupil-teacher ratio.
An additional 400 teaching posts for second level teaching will be allocated.
This year?
Yes.
Under the PPF?
That is what I said in my reply. That is part of the Government's commitment under the PPF.
As to where they will be allocated, that is being addressed by my Department. Proposals will be put to me and I will then decide on where the new posts will be allocated. I hope to receive those proposals within the next few weeks.
There is also the issue of balance. The pupil-teacher ratio has fallen to 14:1. However, once the extra teachers are appointed to tackle disadvantage, to remedial education posts or to ex-quota posts, they will not be counted in the appointments ratio, which is the one about which people talk. That is the one that has reduced from 19:1 to 18:1.
It should be 15:1.
If the total number of teachers were divided among the total number of pupils, the pupil-teacher ratio would be 14.1 this year.
In terms of the comparison made with the pupil-teacher ratio in the past, we are much stronger in tackling disadvantage, providing for specialist needs and providing guidance for pupils with special needs than we were in the past.
Will the Minister accept that in many respects the big losers identified in the McGuinness report are small schools, schools with fewer than 300 pupils, where the range of subjects available is severely restricted because of the lack of provision of an increased number of teachers? I refer specifically to the crisis in terms of the availability of science subjects that emerged in recent days, to which the IDA adverted. Only 40% of small schools offer chemistry as an option to leaving certificate students. Will he accept this is an issue that urgently needs to be addressed in the context of the McGuinness report?
The Deputy will be aware that one of the main recommendations of the report is that for smaller schools a special reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio should apply for the first 150 pupils, which is to specifically address the problem raised by the Deputy.
Will the Minister implement that finding?
We will see what we can do about it. We have to take account of the balance between providing for that and tackling disadvantage and providing for special needs. That is the problem.
