19.2% of Clare pupils are in classes in excess of 30 with Cathal Crowe (FF) worried that social distancing cannot be maintained in schools with the current pupil to teacher ratio.

Schools will return as planned for the new academic year in late August. Clare TD, Crowe has called on Minister for Education, Joe McHugh (FG) to start putting provisions in place now to deal with overcrowding in classrooms across the country.

Ireland currently has a pupil-teacher ratio of 26:1, the average across Europe is 20:1. Teachers and principals in the county have expressed their frustration with the lack of communication received from the Department of Education during the pandemic and Friday’s announcement that schools would reopen with no detail yet provided to teachers on social distancing in classrooms heightening this tension.

Prior to February, Deputy Crowe was teaching in Parteen NS, he is hopeful Minister McHugh will take on board his concerns. “As a teacher myself, I know all too well how important it is to have a manageable sized class to teach, in order to teach your pupils to the best of your ability”.

“Now is the time to act. Schools are not likely to be back until September and with this lull, it’s an opportune time to look at reducing that ratio. This is another situation where, while COVID-19 is making things difficult, there is scope for correcting some issues in the education system. I hope Minister McHugh takes my points on board as a matter of priority.”

Related News

francis st cottages bollards 06-03-24 1
Council acting like 'dodgiest of dodgy developers' claims Clare TD
st patrick's day parade ennis 17-03-22 26
Patrick's Day parades to highlight Abbey Street car park's importance as civic space
peter banim
Lahinch publican chosen as Grand Marshal for Salt Lake City parade
aoife johnston 1
Independent report into Aoife Johnston death behind schedule
Latest News
st patrick's day parade ennis 17-03-22 26
Patrick's Day parades to highlight Abbey Street car park's importance as civic space
st josephs tulla u17 1-2
Munster glory for St Joseph's Tulla
clare u16 girls 1
Clare sides lose out in bid for national glory
oxygenpeople
Breathing Easier with OxyGeneration
peter banim
Lahinch publican chosen as Grand Marshal for Salt Lake City parade
Premium
clare u16 girls 1
Clare sides lose out in bid for national glory
scariff public meeting 01-06-23 6 pat hayes
Clare political delegations visiting US for St Patrick's Day must flag America's aid to Israel's war on Palestine - Hayes
mary howard mayor
Howard hits out at 'cruel' dental waiting list for children with additional needs
clare v kerry u20 18-04-22 26 odhran cunningham
Cunningham not caught up in the past as Clare U20s prepare to write their own story
bridge utd v lifford fc 03-03-24 lee mulready ronan tuohy 1
Bridge Utd down Shannon Town to make Clare Cup quarter-finals

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Scroll to Top