Two-thirds of primary schools have some disadvantaged pupils, according to figures compiled for a new Government scheme designed to tackle the problem.
The Minister for Education, Dr Woods, disclosed yesterday that 2,276 schools (about two thirds of all primary schools) have pupils with some level of disadvantage. The schools are to share £26 million of Government funding over three years. Dr Woods said the money would mean an average of about £50 per pupil in those schools. The level of funding will vary between schools, but each will receive a minimum of £750. Over 200 additional teachers will be appointed as part of the initiative, said Dr Woods.
The decision on which schools get grants and teachers will depend on the number of pupils on the school's roll book who fall into the disadvantaged category. This is based on several indicators, including whether the pupil's parents are unemployed, hold a medical card or live in rented housing. Dr Woods said the "most at risk" pupils would be targeted in the scheme, called Giving Children An Even Break. He said about 222 schools based in towns and cities would be able to ensure a maximum class size of 29 pupils for classes from infants to second class and 20 pupils for third to sixth class.
The schools were selected after being surveyed by researchers at St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, in Dublin. The schools have to give a range of undertakings to get the funds which are available immediately. These include:
developing a specific policy for the retention of pupils
producing a three-year development plan
ensuring their school has the new maximum class sizes no later than the start of the school year in September
identifying the social, curricular, personal and social needs of individual pupils.
Dr Woods said the number of teachers allocated would vary between schools. Some would get just one teacher while others might get three. He said any anomalies discovered in the first year of the programme would be eliminated in the following two years. Special schools would be dealt with separately, he said. To assist schools to make proper use of the money a "director of programmes" and a support team would be appointed to work with them.
The funds for the scheme are part of the £194 million earmarked in the National Development Plan for tackling educational disadvantage.