Skip to main content
Normal View

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 October 2018

Tuesday, 2 October 2018

Questions (244)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

244. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the pupil-teacher ratio in small schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39887/18]

View answer

Written answers

While Budget 2012 increased the appointment and retention ratios for small schools (i.e., schools with up to four classroom teachers), several improvements have been made to the staffing of these schools recently.

In the 2015/16 school year improved retention thresholds for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th classroom teacher and also improved appointment and retention thresholds for two-teacher schools situated 8km or more from the nearest school of the same type of patronage and/or language of instruction were implemented. In addition, Budget 2016 announced a 1 point improvement to the primary staffing schedule with this improvement implemented in the 2016/17 school year.

Budget 2017 announced two adjustments in relation to one teacher schools. Where the school is the sole primary school on an island the school will be able to appoint a second teacher. In relation to single teacher schools generally with an enrolment of 15 or more pupils the school can apply to the staffing appeal board for a second post where the single teacher has children across 6 or more class groups.

Improvements to the staffing schedule announced in Budget 2018 brings the teacher allocation ratio in all primary schools to the most favourable ever seen at primary level and these improvements were introduced in the current school year.

The staffing process includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria, including small schools that were affected by the Budget 2012 changes, to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board.

Any additional improvement in the pupil teacher ratio would have to be considered as part of the next annual budgetary process, alongside the many other demands from the education sector.

Top
Share