19.2% of Clare primary school pupils in overcrowded classes

19.2 percent of primary school children in Clare are being taught in classes with thirty or more pupils.

Data released from the Department of Education and Skills highlighted that two third of all school children in Ireland are in classes with twenty five or more students, the EU average is twenty children per class. 2,581 school children in Clare find themselves in classes of thirty or more students.

Subsequently, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) have called on the Government to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio to 20:1.

General Secretary of the INTO, John Boyle stated, “These statistics confirm what we already know, class sizes in this country are far too high. You simply wouldn’t see such figures in another EU member state. With only 11% of Irish children learning in a class of fewer than 20 students, the EU average, it’s clear they are being short changed.

“Smaller classes support inclusion and diversity of children and allow for more individual attention. That’s why we are calling for priority to be given to class size reduction in October’s budget.”