Tipperary school teacher 'could be facing up to 37 pupils in their classroom'

A schoolteacher in one Tipperary primary school could be facing up to 37 pupils in their classroom, according to Deputy Jackie Cahill.

The Fianna Fáil TD raised the needs of a Scoil Naomh Cualán, Borrisoleigh, primary school in the Dáil this Tuesday with the Taoiseach.

The Thurles TD highlighted pupil-teacher ratios, class sizes, inadequate classroom space, and the need for building works for the school.

“Both myself and Michael Small, the principal of Scoil Naomh Cualán in Borrisoleigh, who I have met and discussed the school’s needs with, are in contact with the Department of Education in relation to school building works and SNA hours. However, I am of the view that the process within the Department is taking far too long to get this school the resources that it needs,” he said.

Deputy Cahill  detailed the current and pressing needs of the school and stated that class sizes, pupil-teacher ratios and space in the school were a major concern for both he and Mr Small.

“This school has seven teachers for mainstream classrooms, meaning that one classroom must be doubled up. There are currently 15 students in sixth class, which is their smallest class, and they are due to leave the school in June. We are looking at having one classroom with one teacher containing upwards of 35 or 37 students as a result of the need for an additional, eight teacher," said Deputy Cahill.

On top of this, the largest classroom was only 60m2, whereas the norm is 80m2, he said, pointing out that there was a case of far too many students in rooms that were simply too small, even by acceptable class size standards.

Deputy Cahill also stated enrolment numbers were only increasing in the school, and that the problem was not going away.

The TD told the Dáil that he received correspondence from the Department of Education confirming that an Additional Accommodation Scheme application was being processed for the school but he believed that this needed to be approved much faster than the current timelines were allowing for.

“I am requesting the additional teacher and classroom space as a matter of priority for Borrisoleigh," said Deputy Cahill.