Teachers to push for class-size maximum of 20

SECONDARY teachers are to seek extra staff to allow schools keep all class-sizes to a maximum of 20 students when they gather for their annual conference today.

The first motion to be debated by delegates at the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland is to establish a policy of this as a maximum class-size for all subjects.

A survey published by the union last year found most Junior Cert students are in classes of 25 or more in core subjects of English, Irish and history.

The Programme for Government agreed by the coalition partners last June includes a commitment to prioritise reductions in class sizes for Irish, English and maths.

However, teachers are demanding specific targets be set and the adoption of the proposed policy for all subjects will lead to increased pressure from ASTI leaders on the Department of Education.

Education Minister Mary Hanafin has insisted class sizes at second level are not a priority and is already under pressure for failing to deliver the first step of specific class sizes at primary level.

The minister will address 500 delegates at the ASTI convention in Killarney this evening but, with little in the way of increased investment due to be announced, she faces criticism.

Among the key concerns being raised by ASTI members will be her refusal to appoint lab technicians to support science teachers, the failure of the public service benchmarking to award pay rises for members and uncertainty over the provision of education plans for students with special needs.

The contribution of second-level teachers to Gaelic games will be honoured under an awards scheme to be announced by GAA director general Paraic Duffy at the convention tomorrow. Each school will receive a special plaque as a mark of the association’s gratitude.

“Teachers at all levels have long offered training and games within a safe, structured environment. Indeed, the GAA might never have reached the 21st century were it not for the contribution of the teaching fraternity across the country,” Mr Duffy said.

ASTI president Patricia Wroe said thousands of second-level teachers make a valuable contribution to Irish society by fostering interest and participation in extra-curricular sporting activities.

“While some of our most famous sporting heroes have come from the teaching profession, this award acknowledges the quiet but significant contribution of thousands of teachers to the lives of young people and to the communities in which they work,” she said.