Sinn Féin Councillor, Thérèse Ruane has described as scandalous and “deeply alarming” reports that the government plans to cut second level teaching posts by up to 2,000 over the next twelve months.
Cllr Ruane said: “Media reports this week claim that Education Minister Ruairí Quinn and Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin are examining proposals to cut the number of teachers at primary and secondary level by up to 2,000. The proposals have been justifiably condemned by Trade Unions and will lead to schools being forced to make impossible decisions. It will mean larger class sizes with schools having a minimum of 20 students per teacher, while the primary school ratio will be pushed to at least 28 students per teacher by September next year.”
The Cllr said that: “In effect this will mean that there will be fewer teachers in the classroom, which, at second level, will inevitably mean less subject choice. This will have serious implications for the quality of education provided. This will have serious impact on jobs for teachers forcing many of our young teachers to emigrate.
“These proposals, if implemented, will be yet another hammer blow to an already faltering education system that is being decimated by endless cuts.”
