The pupil-teacher ratio in secondary schools has to be reduced if disruptive student behaviour is to be tackled, according to the president of the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland.
Speaking at the ASTI's annual convention in Tralee yesterday, Mr John Hurley told more than 500 delegates teachers are entitled to do their job without fear and with respect.
"The strain of the modern classroom is best illustrated by the fact that in this the 21st anniversary of our health insurance scheme, the underwriters have already paid out in excess of £23 million and are paying out £3 million annually," Mr Hurley said in his presidential address.
"Is it any wonder that teacher bullying, disruptive behaviour and student discipline are high on the list of topics to be discussed at this year's convention?" he said. "Student indiscipline and disruptive behaviour are a growing concern for teachers. It is imperative that something is done to ease the burden of the teacher in the classroom."
He called on the Minister for Education and Science, Mr Martin, to act urgently to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio from 19:1 to 15:1. This would be the first step towards easing the burden, he argued. The current pupil-teacher ratio is the highest in Europe, he said.
Schools today have the largest class sizes in Europe, Mr Hurley added. "We see most of our schools with general subject classes of more than 30 and we see two-thirds of our schools with practical classes with more than 24 students." Recent incidents in science laboratories would emphasise that, not alone is this unacceptable, it is dangerous, he added.
Mr Hurley also argued that, although all schools should have a board of management, in the revised Education Bill there is no longer an insistence on this. He said this omission means teachers and the wider education community in comprehensive schools were being denied the right to express their views.
"As a teacher in a comprehensive school, I ask how much longer are we to be treated as second-class citizens - good enough to teach but not good enough to take our rightful place on the board?"
Mr Hurley also addressed the issue of part-time and temporary teachers, who "remain among the most vulnerable of our membership".
He welcomed provision in the Programme for Competitiveness and Work which enabled part-time and temporary teachers to join the superannuation scheme, but said: "Like some other aspects of the PCW this is not yet in place, and the longer it is delayed the more the most vulnerable section of our membership is disadvantaged."
He called on the Minister to issue the circular immediately which would allow part-time and temporary teachers access to this scheme.