Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013
228. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the full impact of the increase in the pupil teacher ratio in post leaving certificate schools in terms of posts lost, reduced number of places and courses cancelled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57817/12]
View answer229. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he will take to ensure that places are not reduced and important specialist courses are not cancelled as a result of the increase in the teacher pupil ratio in post leaving certificate schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57818/12]
View answer242. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respond to fears that the increase in the pupil-teacher ratio from 17:1 - 19:1 will result in a 10% cut to staff in the Cork College of Commerce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57904/12]
View answer277. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the impact the recent budgetary decision to increase the pupil teacher ratio in colleges of further education is going to have on the quality and range of educational options provided by such colleges; his plans to review this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1059/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 228, 229, 242 and 277 together.
The pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) for Post Leaving Cert (PLC) - at 17:1 - is more favourable than the PTR in second level schools - 19:1. The Government decided to raise the PLC PTR to the same level as that which applies in all free second-level schools.
While it would be preferable not to have to make any changes, it is hard to justify providing a more generous PTR in PLC - which is mainly geared to school leavers and adults returning to education - than second-level schools - which cater for teenagers. This decision is being made at a time when the Government has succeeded in protecting class sizes in primary and free second-level schools for the coming year, ensuring that our limited resources are rightly focussed on the children in our education system.
The change will take effect in September 2013 and will reduce the overall number of PLC teaching posts by 200 - allocations to individual colleges are a matter for the managing VEC. It may lead to some reduction in subject choices for students but the sector has expanded rapidly over the past few decades, developing many innovative programmes for its students. In the meantime VECs will have an opportunity to plan for the reduced allocation across the schools/colleges under their remit and to work with their Principals and staff to ensure they can continue to deliver programmes which closely meet the needs of both students and employers.
