Vol. 403 No. 4
231 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Education the steps she intends to take to improve the pupil-teacher ratio in St. Teresa's national school, Mount Merrion, County Dublin; the number of pupils attending the school at present and the number of teachers; whether the average pupil-teacher ratio is being maintained in the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
There are currently 370 pupils enrolled in St. Teresa's national school and 12 teachers — a principal plus 11 assistants — employed.
The pupil-teacher ratio in the school has improved from 32.33 in the 1989-90 school year to 30.83 in the current school year.
The question of the pupil-teacher ratio in national schools is being reviewed in the context of discussions on a new programme for economic and social development.
232 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Education the steps she intends to take to improve the pupil-teacher ratio in St. Olaf's national school, Balally, Dublin 16; the number of pupils attending the school at present and the number of teachers; whether the average pupil-teacher ratio is being maintained in the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
As the Deputy will be aware there is an agreement between the Government and the INTO regarding the staffing of national schools.
As part of this agreement my Department have implemented a reduction of one unit in the enrolment-staffing schedule for national schools from 1 September 1990. This agreement has led to an improvement in the pupil-teacher ratio in national schools for the 1990-91 school year.
Under existing arrangements negotiated under the auspices of the Central Review Committee, school authorities, in particular the principal teacher, are responsible for arranging the organisation of the school so as to ensure that no class group exceeds the following guidelines set down by my Department: 39 in the case of a single grade class group; 38 in the case of a class group with two consecutive grades; and 35 in the case of a multi grade class group.
233 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Education the steps she intends to take to improve the pupil-teacher ratio in Queen of Angels primary school, Balally, Dublin 16.
As the Deputy will be aware there is an agreement between the Government and the INTO regarding the staffing of national schools. Under that agreement, the staffing of a school for a particular year is determined by the enrolment in the school on 30 September of the previous year.
On the basis of the enrolment at the school on 30 September 1989, the authorised staffing in Queen of Angels national school, Balally, in the current school year is a principal and 15 assistant teachers. There is also a remedial teacher on the staff. Enrolment on 30 September of the current year was 486.
The issue of class sizes in national schools will be reviewed in the context of ongoing discussions on a new programme for economic and social development.
234 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Education the steps she intends to take to improve the pupil-teacher ratio in Whitechurch national school, Dublin 16; the number of pupils attending the school at present and the number of teachers; whether the average pupil-teacher ratio is being maintained in the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
As the Deputy will be aware there is an agreement between the Government and the INTO regarding the staffing of national schools.
As part of this agreement my Department have implemented a reduction of one unit in the enrolment-staffing schedule for national schools from 1 September 1990. This agreement has led to an improvement in the pupil-teacher ratio in national schools for the 1990-91 school year.
Under existing arrangements negotiated under the auspices of the Central Review Committee, school authorities, in particular the principal teacher, are responsible for the organisation of the school so as to ensure that no class group exceeds the following guidelines set down by my Department: 39, in the case of a single grade class group; 38, in the case of a class group with two consecutive grades; and 35, in the case of a multi grade class group.
The enrolment in the school on 30 September 1990 was 163. Staff consists of a principal and four assistant teachers so that average class size is approximately 30.
The post of fourth assistant was sanctioned on a temporary basis until 3 October 1990 due to accommodation difficulties. These accommodation problems were overcome by the provision of a prefabricated classroom. The post of fourth assistant was filled on a permanent basis with effect from 4 October 1990.
The issue of the pupil-teacher ratio and class sizes in national schools will be reviewed in the context of ongoing discussions on a new programme for economic and social development.
235 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Education the steps she intends to take to improve the pupil-teacher ratio position in Mount Anville primary school, County Dublin where there are currently 39 pupils in senior infants and 36 pupils in fifth class.
As the Deputy will be aware there is an agreement between the Government and the INTO regarding the staffing of national schools.
As part of this agreement my Department have implemented a reduction of one unit in the enrolment-staffing schedule for national schools from 1 September 1990. This agreement has led to an improvement in the pupil-teacher ratio in national schools for the 1990-91 school year.
Under existing arrangements negotiated under the auspices of the Central Review Committee, school authorities, in particular the principal teacher, are responsible for the organisation of the school so as to ensure that no class group exceeds the following guidelines set down by my Department: 39, in the case of a single grade class group; 38, in the case of a class group with two consecutive grades; and 35, in the case of a multi grade class group.
The following is the position regarding enrolment in this school: enrolment 30 September 1990 = 298. Staffing 1990-91 school year = principal + nine assistants + remedial teacher.
The issue of class sizes in national schools will be reviewed in the context of ongoing discussions on a new programme for national recovery.
