ASTI survey reveals big classes, staff shortages

LARGE classes, staff shortages and a reliance on voluntary fund-raising are the norm in Irish second-level schools, a new survey shows.

The survey carried out for the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) reveals that many schools are unable to offer subjects such as computer science, music and applied maths because of the large pupil-teacher ratio. Sixty per cent of schools were unable to introduce new programmes because of inadequate staffing.

The ASTI says the survey shows that schools are "understaffed, under-funded and overstretched". Last night it began a campaign, "Schools for the 21st Century", to persuade Government to invest more in second-level education.

"At a time when the Government is pursuing an extraordinary level of change in the second-level education system it is actually reducing its per-capita investment in the system," the ASTl general secretary, Mr Charlie Lennon, told the campaign.

"The most recent Government mantras about expenditure on education have been about re-distributing resources and targeting resources. But as any sensible person could tell them, if the loaf of bread is too small to begin with it will not be more nourishing for cutting smaller slices for everyone," he said.

Mr Lennon rejected targeting those most in need on the basis that it is likely "too many of them will be missed".

The survey confirms the frequent claims of teachers, that the education system survives on money raised in cake sales, garden fetes and the like. Four out of five schools are involved in fund-raising, and three-quarters seek a voluntary contribution from parents. The average amount sought was about £50 a year, but some schools asked for more than £200.

Many schools are also in receipt of sponsorship, mostly for small amounts under £1,000. However, 5 per cent of sponsored schools manage to raise more than £20,000 a year.

Although official figures show the average class size is 18, two-thirds of schools report having subject classes with 30 or more pupils, and practical classes with 24 or more pupils.

Activities such as sport and debating are offered on an extra-curricular basis in virtually all schools, instead of being seen as part of the core curriculum. A majority of boys' and girls'

schools have difficulty in providing access to vocational or technical subjects.

The survey highlights the difficulties many schools are having in finding qualified staff to teach certain subjects, particularly foundation-level Irish, German and the new relationships and sexuality education programme.

Asked what they would do if additional staff were provided, most schools said their priorities would be to reduce class sizes, target literacy and numeracy problems and spend more time on planning and organisation.

While three-quarters of schools have computer rooms, only 38 per cent are on the Internet and 37 per cent have e-mail facilities.

Up to one-quarter of schools have refused entry to pupils or restricted subject choices because of space constraints. Some 50 per cent used pre-fabs.

A total of 365 schools responded to the survey.