Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 15 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 2

Written Answers. - Pupil-Teacher Ratio.

Michael D'Arcy

Ceist:

56 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Education and Science notwithstanding the pupil-teacher ratio at primary level, his views on whether it is acceptable to have infant classes in primary schools with over 30 pupils; the number of pupils in these classes; and the initiatives he proposes to end this situation. [28241/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The pupil-teacher ratio for primary schools has been reduced from 22.2:1 in the 1996-97 school year to 19.6 in the 2000-01 school year. The retention of posts arising from the demographic dividend in the 2000-01 school year, the creation of an additional 350 posts under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness for the 2001-02 school year and the granting of additional resource posts for children with special needs has further reduced the PTR. It is now projected that the PTR for the 2001-02 school year will be 19:1.

The staffing schedule for primary schools is structured to ensure that all primary schools operate to an overall maximum class size of 30 pupils by reference to the enrolment on 30 September of the previous school year. An overall maximum class size of 29 operates for schools designated as disadvantaged. A maximum class size of 20 operates for junior classes in the schools included in the urban dimension of the new scheme introduced by me last January, Giving Children an Even Break. A maximum class size of 15 applies in junior classes in urban schools participating in the Breaking the Cycle pilot project.

The organisation of classes within a school is a matter for the board of management of the school in consultation with the principal. The information regarding the number of infant classes with classes in excess of 30 pupils as requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded directly to him.

Under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, it is proposed to appoint an additional 550 primary teachers between the 2002-03 and 2003-04 school years. The appointment of these teachers will further reduce the PTR and class sizes including infants classes in primary schools.