More than 140 classrooms across County Galway have more than 30 pupils, well above the EU average of 20 pupils per class.
Figures provided to Sinn Féin, via a recent Parliamentary Question, show that 2,500 classes across the State, have more with over 30 pupils. A total of 142 of those classes are in County Galway. The average class size in County Galway in 2020 was 22.2 - above the EU average of 20.
SF Galway East representative, Louis O’Hara [pictured], said such overcrowding was a result of “underfunding and understaffing”. He called on the Government to undertake an audit of class sizes across the country, and begin to reduce class sizes so that they are in line with EU norms.
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“Keeping school buildings open in the last year was made much more difficult because we have some of the highest class sizes in Europe,” he said. “There are countless classes that are far too big, in buildings too small, and not fit for purpose. In Galway for example, there was a shocking 38 kids sharing one classroom last year.”
He said the Government must address this issue “sooner rather than later, so that schools can remain open in a safe and sustainable way in the coming months”.
