Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020
39. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a moratorium will be placed on proposed reductions in teacher numbers in schools as a result of changes in the number of pupils registered in September 2019 in view of the pressures that the Covid-19 crisis will have on schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19297/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that my Department published the report “Reopening Our Schools, The Roadmap for the Full Return to School” earlier in the week which is available on my Department's website.
This Roadmap set outs how schools will fully reopen for all students from the end of August, and what the operation of our schools will look like and be sustainable in a COVID-19 context. It has been developed in line with public health advice issued by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), the Roadmap for Society and Business, and follows comprehensive and intensive engagement with education stakeholders including the school management bodies and staff representatives.
As part of the package of supports, additional teachers are being provided to support the reopening of primary schools in order to provide enhanced substitution and eliminate the need to mix classes when a teacher is absent. Supply panels are being established nationwide. These will be monitored in terms of the number of teachers and the location of each panel.
The annual staffing schedule determines the allocation of teachers to schools. For the current school year, it operates on a general average of 26 pupils to every 1 teacher (26:1) which is historically the lowest ever allocation ratio at primary level. I am very conscious of the staffing schedule and the need to prioritise teacher allocations in primary schools given their vital role in communities around the country. I am particularly aware of the difficulties faced in light of Covid-19. I am looking at how best to make further progress in reducing the primary teacher ratio in the context of the Programme for Government implementation.
