Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 March 2022
94. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will take immediate action to reduce the average class size in Irish primary schools to below the European Union average of 20 pupils per class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13320/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Programme for Government there is a commitment to seek to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools.
At primary level, the annual staffing schedule determines the allocation of teachers to schools. The current allocation is on an average ratio of 1 classroom teacher for every 25 pupils. Budget 2022 has implemented a further 1 point reduction for the 2022/23 school year so that primary schools will be allocated teaching posts on an average basis of 1 classroom teacher for every 24 pupils in September 2022. Lower thresholds apply to DEIS Urban Band 1 schools. This Budget measure has brought the teacher allocation ratio in all primary schools to the lowest ever seen at primary level.
The latest figures in relation to pupil teacher ratio shows an improved ratio of teachers to pupils from 16:1 to 14.5:1 at primary level when comparing the 2015/16 school year to the 2020/21 school year. This compares favourably with the OECD pupil teacher ratio which is 1:15. In the same period the staffing schedule improved from 28:1 to 25:1 for this school year.
Average class sizes improved from 24.9 to 23.3 in the same period. The budget announcement will continue the positive trend of improving class sizes for this school year, and statistics on this will be published later in the year.
