1.6.1 Teacher numbers and ratio to learners

1.6.1 Teacher numbers and ratio to learners

There are growing numbers of teachers in the education system

The number of teachers has increased across primary and post-primary sectors. Since 2016/17, an additional 2,935 teachers have been employed in primary schools, representing an increase of 8% (1.14). An additional 4,466 teachers have been employed in post-primary schools, representing an increase of 17%. This growth in teacher numbers mainly reflects the rise in learner numbers. As shown in Table 1.14, enrolments of children and young people peaked in 2018 at primary level and are expected to peak in 2024 at post-primary level. The increase in teacher numbers also reflects the staffing schedule for schools which takes account of provision for new, developing and small schools, the staffing appeals process, and the teacher allocation process (which is based on school enrolments from the previous year).

In 2020/21, the Department of Education provided additional staffing to support schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. All teaching principals at primary level were provided with a minimum of one release day per week to relieve the administrative burden arising from the changes and the impacts of COVID-19, and a new measure was introduced to provide deputy principals with some release days, ranging from 5 days to 16 days depending on the school size, to support administrative principals.

Table 1.14: Number of teachers (whole-time equivalents) in Department-aided schools 2016-2020

Year	2016/2017	2017/2018	2018/2019	2019/2020	2020/2021
Primary teachers, including in special schools	35,669	36,773	37,341	37,839	38,604
Mainstream primary teachers	22,152	22,430	22,747	22,970	23,460
Other primary teachers, including teachers in special schools and SEN teachers in mainstream schools	13,517	14,343	14,594	14,869	15,144
Post-primary teachers	26,27336	27,919	28,474	29,093	30,739
Total number of teachers	61,942	64,692	65,815	66,932	69,343

Source: Statistics Section, Department of Education. Also see Education Indicators for Ireland 2021 at https://www.gov.ie/ en/publication/055810-education-statistics/#latest-statistical-reports

While there has been a significant increase in the number of teachers, the average class size in primary schools remains high

The substantial increase in the overall number of teachers in schools in recent years continued the trend from the previous Chief Inspector’s Report 2013-2016. Over the period to which this report refers, the growth in teacher numbers can be attributed, in particular, to the greater number of teachers deployed in learner support roles. The number of teachers deployed in mainstream teaching positions grew at a slower pace. This means that, while the increased number of teachers resulted in a lower overall pupil teacher-ratio (PTR), average class size in primary schools remained more constant (Table 1.15). The average class size was higher than OECD countries; Irish primary schools had 24.1 pupils per class on average in 2019, compared to 21 pupils on average across OECD countries37.

36 The figure for 2015/2016 cited in the last Chief Inspector’s Report was 26,804. This figure included teachers of PLC courses. PLC figures are not included in this table. 37 OECD (2021) Education at a Glance 2021: OECD Indicators. Available at: https://www.oecd.org/education/education-at-a-

The high average class size presented significant challenges for schools as they prepared to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was particularly evident as schools worked to implement protocols on physical distancing for learners. In order to alleviate the burden on schools, funding was made available for 1,000 additional teachers in post-primary schools to help reduce class sizes and to provide primary schools with substitute staff. Significant additional funding was also provided by the Department so that schools could employ replacement teaching staff38 as well as additional special needs assistants and administrative staff.

Table 1.15: Pupil teacher ratio and average class size 2016-2020

Year	2016/2017	2017/2018	2018/2019	2019/2020	2020/2021
PTR: Average number of pupils per teacher in primary schools	15.7	15.3	15.2	15.0	14.5
Average class size in primary schools	24.7	24.5	24.3	24.1	23.3
PTR: Average number of students per teacher in post-primary schools	13.4	12.8	12.7	12.7	12.4

Source: Statistics Section, Department of Education. Also see Statistical Bulletin 2020/21 at https://www.gov.ie/en/ publication/055810-education-statistics/#latest-statistical-reports; Key Statistics 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 at https:// www.gov.ie/en/collection/key-statistics/