Dublin People - Schools fail in teacher numbers appeals

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Schools fail in teacher numbers appeals

Thursday, 31 July 2008

TWO Northside schools have failed in their appeals to have a decision to reduce their teacher numbers overturned.
St Peter's and Paul's National School, Baldoyle, and St Kevin's Junior National School, Donaghmede, had applied to the Appeal Board for Mainstream Staffing in Primary Schools in the hope of maintaining current pupil-teacher ratios.
At St Peter's and Paul's, some children were being taught in classes of up to 38 and the school will now have eight mainstream teachers instead of nine.
St Kevin's will see the number of mainstream class teachers reduced from four to three, plus the principal, for the coming school year.
When contacted by Northside People, a spokesperson for the Department of Education said they were unable to comment on individual appeals.
“The appeals operate independently of the minister and the department and its decisions are considered final,” the spokesperson stated.
Dublin North East TD Tommy Broughan (Lab) said it was extremely disappointing that the appeal to maintain staffing levels at these two outstanding local schools has been rejected.
“It is extraordinary that junior school pupils may be taught in classes of up to 38 and yet Minister for Education, Batt O’Keeffe, still insists on a programme of cutting back on essential teaching staff,” stated Deputy Broughan.
“The commitments given after the 2002 and the 2007 general elections to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio to EU norms have again been shamelessly broken by Minister O'Keeffe and Taoiseach Brian Cowen."
Cian O'Callaghan, Labour’s candidate in the Howth ward for next year’s local elections, has also slammed the decision.
He cited the growing population of Baldoyle as a reason to provide more funding for local education.
"Baldoyle Boys’ National School on Brookstone Road is an excellent primary school,” said Mr O’Callaghan.
“The loss of a teaching post is because the Government has broken its promise to reduce teacher pupil ratios.
“This is a shortsighted cutback, as there has been extensive development in Baldoyle in recent years.”
Mr O’Callaghan pointed out that the school-going population is due to increase rapidly as more families move into new developments such as the Coast.
“Department of Education figures show that students in primary schools get little more than half the level of Government funding when compared to those in third level,” he added.

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