The level of teaching resources has been increased dramatically with the continuing support provided by the Government. More than 3,000 additional teaching posts have been created since 1997 – 1,855 at primary level and 1,225 at second level. This has led to a significant reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio. If one compares 1989, 1998 and 2001, there has been a dramatic improvement from 27:1 in 1989, 21:1 in 1998, decreasing to 19:1 in 2001 at primary level. The figures also show a substantial improvement at second level from 17:1 in 1991,15:1 in 1998 and down to 13.9:1 in 2001.