Primary teachers call for halt to last phase of cuts

Primary school teachers have called on the Government to suspend the final phase of the cuts to teaching numbers in smaller schools.

Cuts to the favourable teaching numbers for smaller schools have been brought in on a phased basis since Ruairi Quinn’s first budget as education minister in December 2011.

In a phased implementation ending in September, he has increased the number of pupils needed by small schools to maintain current staff levels or to get an extra class teacher.