A chara, – There is a lot of focus during Seachtain na Gaeilge on the state of the language in the country. Gaelscoileanna are the most hopeful thing we have with regard to the promotion, learning and preservation of Gaeilge. Yet the Department of Education has announced a significant increase in the pupil-teacher ratio in Gaelscoileanna from next September.
I am chairperson of Gaelscoil Phádraig in Ballybrack, Co Dublin. According to the new schedule for appointment and retention of teachers, from September 2011 we will lose one post. Also on the basis of the old figures we would be entitled to employ an extra teacher meaning that our principal would not have to continue teaching a class and fulfilling an ever- increasing administrative role.
Gaelscoil Phádraig is in a disadvantaged area, but we do not have disadvantaged status which all other schools in the area have. We are housed on a small temporary site in prefab classrooms. How can anyone justify an increase in the pupil-teacher ratio of 20 pupils? Yes, an increase of 20. For example, according to the new schedule the number of pupils required to employ or maintain a 6th teacher rises from 153 to 173. How can the Department of Education defend that?
I have a great grá for Gaelscoil Phádraig and I am extremely proud of it. I see the great work being done by the teachers. I see the wonderful progress being made by the children. I see how happy they are and I hear them chatting to each other in Irish outside the classrooms. An increase of 20 in the pupil teacher ratio is not acceptable for these children. – Is mise,