Reducing class sizes ‘absolutely achievable’ despite spending pressures - McEntee

Reducing class sizes in schools is “absolutely achievable” despite warnings from public spending officials that it should not be considered until overspending in education is tackled, Minister for Education Helen McEntee has said.

Ms McEntee was speaking after her address to the annual congress of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) in Galway on Tuesday morning.

She told delegates that while class sizes at primary have fallen to a new low of one teacher for 23 pupils, she was committed to fulfilling the programme for Government pledge to reduce it to one teacher for 19 pupils.

“Absolutely, I think it is achievable,” she told reporters, after her address. “It’s a very clear commitment from all of Government that we will further reduce class sizes. They’re the lowest they’ve ever been, but there’s a very clear commitment to reduce it even further,” she said.