Calls to tackle classroom sizes

More than 1,600 Leeside pupils are being taught in supersized classes of 30 children or more, and the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) is calling on the Government for change.

Overall, Ireland’s classes are the largest in Europe and well above the European average of 20 pupils per class.

According to INTO President Mary Magner, keeping an adequate distance between children in the average Irish classroom is a “near impossible” task.

“Our supersized classes hindered our ability to reopen schools and may well challenge Micheál Martin’s great intentions to keep them open,” said Ms Magner.

“If we want to keep our schools open, we simply have to lower our class sizes and that needs to happen in the budget,” she added.

The INTO is asking the Government to commit to reducing class sizes by one pupil per class per year, starting in the forthcoming budget.

“The Government must, now more than ever, deliver on its commitment to tackle supersized classes. Great effort has gone into getting our schools opened safely. Let’s now ensure that we can keep them open,” concluded Ms Magner.

Cork South Central TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire added that the INTO’s campaign to reduce Irish class size is “timely and very necessary” and is a key factor in keeping schools open.

The Deputy said: “Given the large class sizes, coupled with historically small classrooms, it’s no wonder that many schools have struggled to find space to implement social distancing. If ever there was a time to tackle this issue, it is now. We can never again allow our education system to become so vulnerable to disruption as it has proven to be in the past few months.”