Class sizes set to top agenda at teachers' conferences

The issue of class sizes is set to dominate the agenda at the annual conferences of Ireland's two secondary teachers unions this week.

The TUI and the ASTI are both demanding large reductions in class sizes to bring Ireland in line with other European countries.

A recent survey found that 100,000 Junior Cert pupils are being taught in classes of 25 or more, while 25,000 are in classes of 30 or more.

Teachers say this is adding to the discipline problem in schools and causing major disruption.

They say 1,200 extra teachers are needed to improve the situation.