Dingle INTO call public meeting regarding pupil-teacher ratios
PRIMARY school principals, teachers and INTO staff representatives from across the Dingle Peninsula are preparing to stage a major public meeting on the issues facing the region following budgetary proposals to change pupil teacher ratios.
TDS, senators and all pubic representatives from the North and South Kerry electoral constituencies have been invited to attend the meeting, which will be staged in Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne in Dingle this Monday night at 7.30pm. According to Scoil an Ghleanna Principal Seanachán Macgearailt, branch secretary of Craobh an Daingin, the majority of primary schools located in the Corca Dhuibhne area will lose a mainstream teacher within the next four years.
A reduction in learning support hours is also anticipated and some schools in the region may even face closure or amalgamation.
“The recent changes to the staffing schedule apply only to schools with less than 86 pupils,” Seanachán explained.
“The vast majority of two to three teacher schools are located in rural areas such as Corca Dhuibhne; many multi-grade classes consisting of three or four different class groupings will now be placed in class rooms containing 25-30 pupils.”
“Minor Works Grants are to be discontinued, which means that all school budgets - regardless of size ,will be reduced by a minimum of €6,000 per school per annum. Parents may possibly be forced to make up for any shortfall in school budgets,” Seanachán added.
Dingle Branch of the INTO are calling for the reversal in the changes to staff levels; this will form the basis of the public meeting which takes place in Dingle at Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne on Monday, January 23, at 7.30pm.