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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Apr 2002

Vol. 552 No. 1

Written Answers. - Pupil-Teacher Ratio.

Seamus Healy

Question:

629 Mr. Healy asked the Minister for Education and Science the current pupil-teacher ratio for national and secondary schools; the way in which these compare to other European countries; and when he intends to reduce the pupil/teacher ratio in secondary and national schools. [11069/02]

The projected pupil-teacher ratios in first and second level schools in the current school year are approximately 19.0:1 and 14.0:1, respectively. The most recently published international comparison of pupil-teacher ratios relates to the 1998-99 school year. The table, below, provides data on pupil-teacher ratios at primary and second level in 1998-99 in European countries for which comparable information is readily available. The country means at OECD, European and EU levels are also provided.

Although the pupil-teacher ratio in Ireland is still above the average for European and OECD countries at primary level, it has fallen very significantly at this level over the past decade leading to a considerable narrowing of the gap with the rest of Europe and the OECD. Furthermore, at second level, the pupil-teacher ratio is now approaching the OECD average having been reduced steadily over recent years.

In line with Government policy, my Department will continue to provide for further reductions in the pupil-teacher ratio within available resources and subject to spending priorities within the education sector. Priority will be given to pupils with special needs and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Ratio of students to Teaching Staff in some European

Countries (1998-99)

For all types of institutions

(based on full-time equivalents)

Primary Level

Second Level

Austria

14.5

9.8

Belgium (Flanders)

13.9

8.8

Czech Republic

23.4

14.7

Denmark

10.6

12.4

Finland

17.4

13.5

France

19.6

12.8

Germany

21.0

15.2

Greece

13.5

10.6

Hungary

10.9

10.6

Iceland

13.3

***

Ireland

21.6

15.4**

Italy

11.3

10.3

Primary Level

Second Level

Luxembourg

12.5

9.9

Netherlands

16.6

17.7

Norway

12.6

***

Slovak Republic

19.6

13.6

Spain

15.4

12.9

Sweden

13.3

14.5

Switzerland

16.1

12.3

Turkey

30.0

16.1

United Kingdom

22.5

14.7

OECD mean*

18.0

14.6

European mean*

16.7

12.9

EU mean*

16.0

12.7

* for which data are available.
** ratio based on public institutions only.
*** data are not available.
Source: Education at a Glance, OECD Indicators, 2001
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