THE Minister for Education, Ms Breathnach, yesterday defended her record in relation to pupil teacher ratios in primary schools. Strike action on the issue will take place today at two schools and disputes at more than 100 others are planned after the summer holidays.
The Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) is taking the action over Ms Breathnach's decision to freeze the pupil teacher ratio in national schools. Surplus teachers will instead be allocated to areas of "special education needs".
The Minister said yesterday that the pupil teacher ratio had been substantially reduced over the past three years. She added that she was committed to effecting further improvements "as soon as resources allow".
Yesterday the Fianna Fail spokesman on education, Mr Micheal Martin, said that the Minister's action would result in a considerable number of schools throughout the State losing teachers this year.
"Instead of applying these teachers in a balanced way throughout the system, the Minister intends to allocate all these teachers to a selective number of schools designated as disadvantaged", he said.
Mr Martin called on the Minister to review the policy and enter into discussion to prevent industrial chaos" in the primary school system in September.
Today's strikes will take place at Nenagh Convent National School, Co Tipperary, and Castledermot National School, Co Kildare. Both stand to lose teachers because of declining enrolments.