Primary school pupil to teacher ratio ‘will be reduced by one pupil per class’

THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMMITTED to reducing the student-teacher ratio at the elementary level by an average of one student per class.

In today’s Budget 2021 speech, the Minister of Reform and Public Expenditure said that this will be achieved with the addition of more teaching positions.

“I am pleased to announce today an additional reduction in staffing hours at the elementary level by reducing the student-teacher ratio by 1 point to 25: 1, providing more than 300 general teaching positions,” said McGrath.

This is in addition to the 265 publications I provide to meet demographic pressures at the primary and post-primary levels.

McGrath had previously recognized the “tremendous efforts of our teachers” to facilitate the return of students to school in September.

Regarding special education needs, the minister also outlined a government commitment to hire an additional 990 special needs assistants (SNAs) and 403 additional teaching positions.

“This will mean that in 18,000 we have more ANS in schools than ever and 17,500 special education teachers,” he said.

In reaction to the government’s plans, the primary teachers union INTO said: “INTO recognizes the commitment of the Budget 2021 to reduce large class sizes by an average of 1 student next year.”

“We observed the allocation of additional teaching positions to support children with special educational needs. We await more details on the assignment of these positions ”.