A sharp reduction in pupils at primary schools and high numbers of teaching graduates could result in an oversupply of more than 13,000 teachers before the end of the decade, according to official projections. The projected surplus of teachers will spark calls for a major reduction in class sizes at primary level, which are among the most overcrowded in Europe. However, another option being examined by the department involves retraining primary teachers as special education teachers at second level. European normsThis could lead to an “excess” of primary teachers growing from more than 13,000 in 2029 to just over 17,000 nine years later. It is vital that any pupil-teacher ratio reductions apply to Deis schools, especially.”The Government has said the pupil-teacher ratio at primary level will fall to its lowest recorded level in the coming academic year when it falls to 25:1.

Source: The Irish Times June 03, 2021 02:26 UTC