Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2004
133 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on the changes in teacher numbers at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11; the number of teachers allocated to the school in each of the past three years and the number which will be allocated in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18268/04]
View answerThe staffing of a primary school for a particular school year is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on the 30 September of the previous school year. This is in accordance with guidelines agreed between my Department and the education partners.
The staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy was a principal and ten mainstream class teachers, two learning support teachers, one special class teacher, one resource teacher, one home school liaison teacher and one early start teacher for the school year 2001-02. Since then, the mainstream staffing has remained unchanged. However, the school was allocated an additional resource teacher post from 2002-03.
The enrolment on 30 September 2003 entitles the school to a staffing of a principal and nine mainstream class teachers for the 2004-05 school year. However, on the basis of the projected enrolment for the 30 September 2004, provisional sanction to retain the tenth mainstream post under developing school status was given to the board of management on 20 May 2004, subject to the projected enrolment being achieved on 30 September.
To ensure transparency and openness in the system, an independent appeals board is now in place to decide on any appeals on mainstream staffing. Details of the appeals procedure are outlined in department circular 03/04.
134 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide sufficient teachers to avoid a situation at a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will provide adequate teachers to avoid this serious situation. [18269/04]
View answerThe staffing of a primary school for a particular school year is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on the 30 September of the previous school year. This is in accordance with guidelines agreed between my Department and the education partners.
In the current school year the mainstream staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy is a principal plus 15 mainstream posts based on an enrolment of 398 pupils at 30 September 2002. The enrolment of the school at 30 September 2003 was 374 pupils, which warrants a staffing of a principal and 13 mainstream posts for the 2004-05 school year. The staffing schedule is structured to ensure that all primary schools will operate to an average mainstream class size of 29 pupils. School authorities should ensure that there is an equitable distribution of pupils in mainstream classes and that the differential between the largest and the smallest classes is kept to a minimum.
To ensure transparency and openness in the system an independent appeals board is now in place to decide on any appeals on mainstream staffing. Details of the appeals procedure are outlined in department primary circular 03/04.
