Pupil-teacher ratio in secondary schools
The Minister said the 20-to-one quota, with suitable timetabling and organisation, generally supports a reasonably broad curriculum. He has no current plans to relax it for Irish-medium schools but will consider the matter in future.
asked the Minister for Education if he is satisfied that limiting the pupil/teacher ratio to 20 to one enables smaller secondary schools to offer a suitable range of subjects; and if he will make a statement on this matter.
Comment on this
Given suitable time-tabling arrangements and satisfactory school organisation, the present quota of 20 to one which was introduced in 1972 produces a teacher/pupil ratio sufficient to enable secondary schools generally to provide a reasonably broad curriculum.
Comment on this
If in a case where a school is under a departmental obligation to teach through the medium of Irish, would the Minister say he would consider relaxing this rule?
Comment on this
There are no present plans to do as the Deputy suggests, but I will bear it in mind in any future consideration of the matter.