Wexford teacher calls for action on primary school class sizes

A Wexford primary school teacher is calling for urgent action to reduce class sizes saying growing numbers of pupils and increasingly complex needs are putting pressure on teachers and making it harder to provide individual support.

Karen McGillicuddy a teacher in Balcannew National School raised the issue following figures showing that 1,671 primary school children in County Wexford were in classes of 30 pupils or more during the last school year.

The figures, highlighted by Deputy Malcolm Byrne, show that 52 classrooms across the county had at least 30 pupils. The largest classes were recorded at Newtown National School in Rosslare where classes reached 36 children.

Karen says the demands on teachers have changed significantly in recent years with more children entering school requiring additional social, emotional and learning support.

She said that while teachers continue to go above and beyond for their pupils larger classes make it increasingly difficult to give every child the individual attention they need.

She believes smaller classes would improve children’s learning, focus and behaviour and says the ideal class size would be fewer than 20 pupils.

Nationally, more than 39,000 primary school children are currently in classes of 30 or more.

While the pupil-teacher ratio has improved in recent years moving from 26 pupils per teacher in 2020 to around 23 to one currently campaigners say further investment is needed.

The INTO has made reducing class sizes a key priority and is calling for the recruitment of an additional 1,000 primary teachers.

Karen is also encouraging parents and guardians to make their voices heard by contacting their local representatives and highlighting the importance of investment in education.

She says smaller classes would not only benefit teachers but would give every child a better opportunity to succeed.

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