4,000 extra teachers needed by 2024, says TUI

The need for almost 4,000 more teachers over the next decade to cater for a rise of 75,000 second-level students must not be used as an excuse for more education cutbacks, a union has warned.

In the next five years alone, teacher numbers at second level would have to increase by more than 1,300 to maintain the current classroom pupil:teacher ratio of one mainstream teacher for every 19 students.

However, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland said this requirement will rise to 3,900 extra teachers being needed by 2024, when student numbers are expected to have risen by 22%, from the current 335,000 to 410,000.