Gary Gannon
Question:112. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if there is a pathway for teacher pupil ratios to reach the EU average of 20:1 in classrooms here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32278/20]
View answerThursday, 22 October 2020
Questions (112)
Written answers
The staffing schedule for primary schools for the 2020/21 school year is currently at its lowest ever level with 1 teacher to 26 pupils.
Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to seek to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools.
I was delighted to announce a further 1 point reduction in Budget 2021. The staffing schedule for the 2021/22 academic year now stands at 1 teacher for every 25 pupils. This measure will help ensure better teacher retention in primary schools while also ensuring that less pupils are required to retain or recruit a teacher.
Any further improvement will be considered in the context of the annual budgetary process.