Class size crisis could spark legal pay-outs [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 28 April 2011
SECONDARY schools could face significant legal costs if insurance firms decide to strip them of cover because chronic overcrowding levels are breaching Government safety guidelines.
The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) has heard schools with more than 30 pupils per class are facing the potential situation because of the lack of teachers being employed.
Speaking on the second day of the union’s annual conference in Cork, Drogheda branch secretary Kevin Brogan warned that insurance firms could decide to pull out of covering schools over the issue.
Mr Brogan said official Department of Education guidelines note that a ceiling level of 30 pupils per class should be in place for normal lessons in new schools, with a 24 pupil ceiling for practical subjects like metalwork and woodwork.
However, the union member said schools are repeatedly being left with no option than to exceed these targets because facilities are understaffed.
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