THE Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO)) has launched a campaign to highlight the importance of limiting class size so that children can fully realise their potential.
Speaking at the launch of
‘Room to Bloom’, Sheila Nunan, General Secretary of the INTO, said:
“It’s important that, as the economy starts to rebuild, the primary education system is supported so that the upcoming generation – and those who follow – are given every opportunity to develop to their fullest potential.
“This means smaller class sizes, greater supports for children with special education needs and more funding to run schools.
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Classes in Irish primary schools are among the most overcrowded in the EU, with an average of 25 pupils per class compared to an EU average of 21 per class. More than 125,000 pupils in Ireland are in classes of 30 or more. In County Dublin alone, there are 18 per cent of classes where pupil numbers are 30 or more.
The majority of classes in the county comprise pupil numbers between 20 and 30. The INTO held a briefing event for TDs and Senators in Dublin as part of the launch.