Sir, - We are delighted to see (October 23rd) that the Minister for Education, Mr Martin, is aware of the work being done in the inner-city. However, once again his information is incorrect. He states that our school has a staffing ratio of 15:1. We are supposed to have this. The reality is that two of our classes are above the recommended figure. Our junior infants has 17:1 and first and second class 20:1.
By removing the teacher from our school, the Minister has breached his own guidelines. Perhaps he might explain this to the general public. In my own class I have 22 pupils. I teach Sixth Class and supervise the school as well. Does the Minister find this situation satisfactory.
Is it the most favourable in the country? I am aware of many wealthy schools that have better pupil-teacher ratios than our school. I do not begrudge these schools their favourable staffing ratios but I find it a bit rich when a Minister for Education and Science says that our small north inner-city school has the most favourable pupil teacher ratio in the country. Is he living in the real world?
Minister Martin is also well aware from our submissions and talks that over the years we saved the Department of Education and Science thousands of pounds. When the courts were on their backs about the lack of services for children at risk, we bailed them out. This can be confirmed by social workers, Eastern Health Board, attendance officers, junior liaison officers and child workers.
This is the real world Mr Martin. This time last year we had 100 pupils. Now we have 110 and more on the way. Why then, Minister, did you remove a teaching job from our school? This is the issue. It was never a numbers game. It was about leaving services in place that were working. I also challenge you to a debate on the issue.
When a Minister for Education and Science removes a teacher from a disadvantaged area it shows clearly which side he is on. In 1996 a school in Cork was in the same position as ours. Mr Martin demanded that the job be saved. He criticised the Department and the Minister. Now he is saying the opposite. I rest my case. -Yours, etc., Finian McGrath,
Principal,
Scoil Plas Mhuire B.N.S.
St Mary's Place,
Dorset St,
Dublin 1.