asked the Minister for Education whether he proposes to reduce the student-teacher ratio in the Finglas/Ballymun/Glasnevin areas, Dublin during the coming school year; and, if so, the extent of such proposals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Student-Teacher Ratio.
3.
Mr. R. Burke
I have recently announced a reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio for four to eight-teacher national schools, that is schools having an enrolment of not less than 115 and not more than 275 pupils, which will have effect from 1st July next. The schools in the areas referred to by the Deputy are mainly in the over eight-teacher category. These schools have, however, already benefited from the reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio introduced from 1st July, 1973.
Would the Minister accept that he has not entirely given me the information I require in respect of the schools—whether or not any continued improvement can be anticipated in respect of the new school year.
Mr. R. Burke
Not in respect of the coming school year. The reason I have given the Deputy is that there are two phases of the reduction of the pupil-teacher ratio: one which took effect from 1st July, 1973, as I have said, for those schools in the over eight-teacher category, the category to which the schools in the Deputy's area belong; and the second phase for the schools in the four-to eight-teacher category, which benefit from 1st July, 1974. As the number of teachers being produced by the colleges improves we shall be able to effect further improvements over the years ahead, not specifically in respect of the year 1974-75.
Would the Minister accept that perhaps it would be more important in the future to devote whatever extra teachers we might have to satisfying the urgent needs that exist? For instance, in my constituency at the moment there are some schools where the student-teacher ratio is 1 to 42, 43, 44, and 45. Would it not be better to concentrate on that rather than extending the leaving certificate course by an additional year?
Mr. R. Burke
I am asked to deal with two entirely separate points here. I would agree with the Deputy on the pertinent point that there are difficulties in relation to the number of pupils in classes in his area; the other matter does not relate.