This article is from page 12 of the 2005-11-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
INCREASING class sizes are impacting on the level of attention teachers can give to pupils.
Principal of Ballyea National School, Eddie Liddy believes overcrowding in the classroom is one of the main problems facing schools in Clare. He said the current situation, where classroom sizes are increasing, imposes extra burdens on teachers and limits the amount of attention they can give to students. In Ballyea the problem has been particularly prevalent in split classes, where children from two different classes share the same room.
‘Absolutely it is a big problem. We have split classes with 32 children in them, where one teacher in one classroom is looking after all of
the junior infants and half of the senior infants. In the other classroom a teacher has all of first class and half the senior infants. It can be very difficult to manage.”
The issue of class size in primary schools was discussed at a public meeting of representatives of parents, teachers and management in Ennis last night. There are currently 159 children at- tending Ballyea National School and this year the school received an extra teacher in accord- ance with directives issued by the Department of Education. “We still have huge class sizes but it definitely has made a difference.”
Ballyea National School had been highlighted as being typical of the overcrowding problem but the school is hopeful of getting a new build- ing in the future.