Gilmore says no change to pupil ratio [IrishTimes]
- Published: 15 December 2011
The pupil teacher ratio in primary schools has not been increased, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has insisted in the Dáil.
During sharp exchanges with Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald about disadvantaged schools and those in the Deis (Delivering Equality of opportunity In Schools) scheme, Mr Gilmore said “a number of posts will be made available for alleviation measures for the schools most affected by the changes in the budget”.
Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn met a number of school principals earlier this week and “has undertaken to ensure that Deis Band 1 junior schools will be placed on a staffing schedule based on an average of one teacher for 20 pupils”.
He said “this will enable them to continue to have smaller class sizes for the youngest children starting school”.
Thirty two schools with “legacy” posts that provided for one teacher for every 15 pupils in junior classes only “will now have a staffing schedule that operates on the basis of an average of one teacher per 18 junior pupils”.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
