Class sizes drop but still above EU norm

THE AVERAGE class size in Clare was the third lowest in Munster last year, but was still much higher than the EU average.
Figures revealed in a Dáil question to Sinn Féin have revealed the average class size in Clare was 22.2 last year, slightly less than 22 in Kerry and 22.1 in Tipperary,
Cork County had the highest class size in Munster with 23.5, which was followed by Waterford on 23.4 and Limerick on 23.1.
The average class size in Clare dropped from 23.1 to 22.2 from 2017 to 2020. There were 74 classes in the Banner county with more than 30 children in them.
Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne said the Covid-19 pandemic has shown Ireland’s education system is underfunded, understaffed and overcrowded.
“The reality is, that keeping school buildings open in the last year was made much more difficult because we have some of the highest class sizes in Europe.
“In Clare, there was a shocking 36 kids sharing one classroom last year. These children’s quality of education is being compromised.
“There is a need for a top-down Departmental mandated move towards achieving the EU standard of 20 children per classroom. At present both staff and students are placed under undue pressure. Our teachers and children deserve better.
“I have been raising the issues faced by once particular school in my constituency, namely Ennis Educate Together School, which has been consistently denied adequate resourcing and funding from successive governments.
“The school is in urgent need of additional supports, and I’m sure it is not the only school in the county of which that can be said.
“The government must immediately undertake an audit of class sizes across the country, and work to address this issue sooner rather than later, so that schools can remain open in a safe and sustainable way in the coming months.”

by Dan Danaher