Largest Class Sizes Found in Irish Schools Lead National Ranking of Shame
Ireland is facing a significant issue with overcrowded classrooms, particularly in rapidly growing areas, according to education officials and politicians. The average primary school class size in Ireland stands at 22.5 pupils, significantly above the European Union (EU) average of 19 pupils per class[1][3].
John Boyle, the general secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, has expressed concern about classes with 30 or more pupils, especially in areas of rapid growth like Gorey, Wicklow-Wexford[1]. This overcrowding is more acute in fast-growing regions such as parts of Kildare and Wexford, where many schools have multiple classes with 30 or more pupils[1][5].
About 10% of primary students are in overcrowded, often unsuitable learning environments, including over 43,000 pupils in classes exceeding 30 students[1][3]. In contrast, some EU countries, such as Poland, are actively adapting education to demographic changes by preserving small schools and integrating local community functions, thus preventing class size escalation and school consolidation[2].
Despite government promises, Ireland is lagging behind in class size reduction[1][3]. The figures released by Ireland's Department of Education underscore chronic underinvestment in education infrastructure to address the growing demand, particularly in expanding areas[1][3].
Both the last programme for government and the current one included commitments to reducing the primary school pupil-teacher ratio to the EU average[1]. However, the total number of teaching posts has increased from 26,039 to 42,680 over the same period[1].
Minister for Education Helen McEntee mentioned that in 2023-2024, there were 23,818 mainstream classes, of which 6.9% were of 30 pupils or more[1]. This equates to more than 40,000 primary school students being in classes of 30 or more pupils last year[1].
Gorey, a rapidly growing area, is particularly affected. The Gorey electoral area population grew by 14% between 2016 and 2022, with many younger families requiring school places[1]. Gorey Central School, the largest Church of Ireland school in the country, has a number of 30-plus classes and has been waiting for a school extension[1].
In summary, Ireland's overcrowded classrooms, particularly in rapidly expanding regions, remain a significant hurdle. The country's class sizes are notably higher than the EU average, and ongoing calls for increased investment and policy action to reduce class sizes for equitable and effective education persist[1][3][5].
[1] Department of Education (2024). Annual List of Class Sizes for Primary School Students. [2] European Commission (2022). Adapting Education to Demographic Changes. [3] Irish National Teachers' Organisation (2023). Class Sizes in Ireland: An Overview. [5] Irish Times (2023). Calls for Reduction in Primary School Class Sizes.
- The general secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, John Boyle, has expressed worry about the increasing class sizes, particularly in rapidly growing areas like Gorey, Wicklow-Wexford, citing politics and general news about overcrowded classrooms in Ireland.
- Despite political commitments to reduceprimary school pupil-teacher ratios to the EU average, Ireland continues to struggle with class sizes that are notably higher, with more than 40,000 primary school students in classes of 30 or more pupils, as reported in the general news.
