Schools vent fury at teacher U-turn

PRINCIPALS whose schools are affected by the Government decision not to increase teacher numbers in order to reduce class sizes this autumn reacted angrily to the news yesterday.

St Peter and Paul’s National School in Baldoyle, Dublin 13, will lose one of its nine teachers because it has 231 pupils this year. But it would have only needed 229 pupils if the election promise to appoint a teacher for every 26 pupils next autumn, down from one for each 27, had been kept.

“Our numbers dropped slightly last year but the pupils will be paying the price, it means this year’s junior infants who were in two classes of 17 will probably be in a single class of 34 boys next year,” said principal Donal O’Donoghue.

“If the Government is committed to bringing in the reductions, I don’t see why we should lose a teaching post if we’re going to get it back in a year’s time.”

Principal Kayren Hayes, has more than 300 pupils at Presentation primary school in Mitchelstown, Co Cork and was expecting to recruit a 12th class teacher under the pre-election promise.

“It would have allowed us reduce most class sizes significantly and reduce multi-class situations where one person teaches fifth and sixth class. It’s bewildering that the Government does not see the value of long-term investment in the next generation,” she said.

The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) acknowledged extra teachers are being appointed because of increasing numbers enrolling in primary schools, but said nothing is done to tackle overcrowded classes.

“Irish classes in primary schools will remain the second highest in the EU but the job losses, which will have a devastating effect on schools, could have been spared,” said INTO general secretary John Carr.

Many of the 100-plus teachers left go will be eligible for redeployment to a school within 28 miles if a suitable vacancy arises for next September. But those who qualified recently could have to enter the jobs market in the summer if they have not gone through Department of Education probation which is needed to qualify for redeployment.

The INTO is encouraging parents of children affected by the staffing cuts to lobby their public representatives and seek a change of policy.