Kitt welcomes pledge for another 4,000 teachers

Fianna Fáil Senator and Dáil candidate for Galway East, Michael Kitt, has welcomed the Taoiseach’s commitment to provide at least 4,000 new primary teachers over the next five years. An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern made the comments in his key note speech at the Ard Fheis in Dublin at the weekend and his commitments to reducing class sizes has been welcomed by the INTO. “Starting with 800 new primary teachers in the next school year, we are going to see a very substantial increase in the years to 2012,” said Senator Kitt. “This will ensure that our children are taught in smaller classes. In Galway the average class has 21.5 in the county and 23.4 in the city. We are by no means the worst in the country in regards to class sizes, but there is still room for improvement” “At second level, this Government has committed to will prioritise reductions in the size of classes in the core subjects of Irish, English and Maths.” “We have provided for the most sustained increase in funding and participation in the history of Irish education.” Senator Kitt pointed out that primary teacher numbers remained at a static 20,000 or so for three decades in the 70's, 80's and into the 90's. No account was taken of the diverse needs of our young school going population, especially those children with special needs. “Under this Government school staffing has improved dramatically. There are now 5,000 more primary teachers than there were in 2002 and 8,000 more than in 1997.” “Quite simply this has been the largest increase in teacher numbers since the expansion of free education.” “And over the next five years we are going to take another step forward,” concluded Senator Kitt.