Pupil-teacher ratio set to rise

The Department of Education is reportedly planning to increase the pupil-teacher ratio in both primary and secondary schools in an effort to save the State up to €75m.

According to reports in today's Irish Times, there will now be 28 primary school students for every one teacher, and 20 secondary school students for every one teacher.

The proposal – which is set to be a key part of the next budget – would mean more than 1,100 teaching posts left unfilled at primary and second level.

Irish primary schools already have the second-highest average class size in the EU.

Last year, Department of Education figures revealed that more than 106,000 pupils are in classes of 30 or more while some 8,000 are being educated in classes of 35 or more.