Pupil-teacher ratios
The Minister gave ratios for primary, secondary and vocational schools for 1972/73 and 1982/83. She acknowledged the need to reduce them, noting that this would require hiring more teachers in Ireland.
asked the Minister for Education the pupil-teacher ratio in respect of primary, secondary and vocational schools in (a) 1973 and (b) 1983.
Comment on this
The estimated pupil-teacher ratios calculated on the basis of the total number of pupils and the total number of teachers in the case of the three categories of schools in question in 1972/73 and 1982/83 were as follows:
In the case of vocational schools the ratio is based on the number of whole-time equivalent teachers.
Comment on this
Would the Minister agree that the pupil-teacher ratio in our schools is regarded as the worst in the EEC while there are, at the same time, approximately 600 primary teachers out of work? Does the Minister realise that, even to bring us into line with the position obtaining in Northern Ireland, we would need an extra 4,000 new teachers? Does the Minister intend to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in phases by increasing the number of teachers?
Comment on this
I am aware of the fact the Deputy points out. Perhaps it is necessary to remind the House that most other countries in the EEC achieved a lower pupil-teacher ratio because of a dramatically falling birth rate, without having to employ extra teachers which is different from the situation in Ireland; in other words, to improve the pupil-teacher ratio in this country it is necessary to greatly increase the number of teachers as opposed to what happened in other EEC countries. As is stated in the Programme for Action at several points, the Government are committed to reducing the pupil-teacher ratio as soon as financial circumstances permit.
