INTO: Primary classes among largest in Europe

Primary school classes in Ireland are now among the largest in Europe, according to the Irish National Teachers' Organisation.

The INTO has said the 1000 teacher training places available for next year will not reduce our high teacher-pupil ratio.

In the 2002 Programme for Government, moves were promised to ensure one teacher for every 20 schoolchildren under nine.

INTO General Secretary John Carr has said primary schools have been neglected for too long.

“This has come about because of the Government’s commitment in the 60s, 70s and 80s to develop post-primary and then in the 90s to develop third level," he said.

"All throughout that time, primary education was neglected, with the result that we have the highest class sizes in Europe and we have dilapidated school buildings that should be obliterated from the face of the earth.”