Almost a quarter of westmeath pupils in classes of 30 plus

Almost a quarter of primary school pupils in Westmeath are in classes of 30 or more, it has emerged.

The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) revealed that 22% or primary school students in the Lake County are in classes of 30 plus, while 67.8% of pupils are in classes of 20 to 29 pupils, meaning 90% of primary pupils in Westmeath are in classes greater than the EU average of 20.

More than 9,700 pupils in Westmeath schools are in classes of 20 or more, while over 2,300 are in “supersized” classes of 30 or more children.  
Just 10.2% of pupils are in classes under 20.

The INTO said the figures showed the reality on the ground in Irish primary schools to date.

The union said large classes are a result of increasing school numbers and government failure to tackle overcrowded classes.

The union called for an immediate reduction in class sizes estimating the cost of the measure at €15m in a full year.

The general secretary of the INTO Sheila Nunan described the findings as a major challenge for Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan.

Ms Nunan said Irish class sizes were now the highest in the Eurozone and she called on the Minister to progressively reduce class sizes in Irish primary schools over the next number of years.

Ms Nunan said the learning potential of primary school pupils was being compromised by larger classes. She said it was indefensible that Irish children were packed into the most overcrowded classes in the Eurozone at the very time they are best able to learn.

In overcrowded classes, there is little if any time for individual attention and one-to-one support, she pointed out. 

In addition, she said educational research on the negative effect of overcrowded classes was unequivocal, especially with regard to young children.

“Even critics of demands for smaller classes concede there are big benefits in the early years. Smaller classes give more children a chance of fulfilling their potential and are less expensive and more effective than trying to remedy things at a later date,” said Ms Nunan.

She said smaller classes in Canada had positive effects on children’s academic outcomes, behaviour and social interactions.

“Teachers were able to pick up on problems as well as strengths and talents and smaller class sizes were credited with these improvements.”

She said the primary school classroom is the frontline of the education service.  
“It is where most children spend the majority of their time. Large class sizes are affecting over half a million pupils and their families. Primary schools should be a national priority.”