Urgent calls to tackle large class sizes

THERE are urgent calls on the Minister for Education to tackle large class sizes, with 169 classes in South Dublin County having over 30 pupils in a class – the second highest in the country.

Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West Eoin Ó Broin called on the Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, to tackle these large class sizes, stating that our education system is “overcrowded, underfunded and understaffed”.

Teachta O’Broin said: “It is clear that overcrowding in classrooms is a huge problem.

“Figures provided to Sinn Féin via a recent Parliamentary Question show that there were over 2,500 classes across the country with over 30 kids last year, with 169 of those classes in South Dublin.”

In the figures provided, it was revealed that the average class size in South Dublin is 24.1, which is above the EU average of 20. Schools within the Fingal County Council area saw the highest average of pupils in a class in 2020 with 25.5. With an average of 20.9 pupils, Mayo had the lowest pupils in the country.

Speaking about the figures, Teachta Ward said: “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.

“There are countless classes that are far too big, in buildings too small, and not fit for purpose. In Dublin Mid-West, for example, there was a shocking 35 kids sharing one classroom last year.

“The first step in ensuring that educational standards and safety protocols are maintained, is by drastically reducing class sizes down to the EU average of 20.”

He added: “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.

“If there ever was a time to tackle this issue, surely it is now.”