Real action needed on DEIS class sizes
Labour Party Education spokesperson, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has called for the Minister for Education to take on board the asks of the INTO #TimeForDEIS campaign.
Senator Ó Ríordáin said:
“The Labour Party fully supports the INTO #TimeForDEIS campaign which was launched earlier today which seeks to lower the pupil-teacher ratio in DEIS schools.
“When a cut is made to the pupil-teacher ratio it doesn’t transfer automatically to DEIS schools because they have a different pupil-teacher ratio.
“Labour has proposed a reduction in class sizes in mainstream schools and in DEIS schools. This was not done by Government in the most recent budget.
“We are on board with the INTO’s campaign because the smaller the class, the more intensified education can be and ultimately it is a greater benefit to children in a disadvantaged setting.
“Labour has a proud record of being at the forefront of finding solutions to educational disadvantage. In the 1990s we brought in the Breaking the Cycle to reduce class sizes.
“We will support the campaign and want the Minister to engage constructively.”