James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister to the House.

This matter concerns the urgent need for the Department of Education and Science to provide an update on the provision of a temporary teacher for St. Mary's national school, Drumlish, County Longford — roll No. 16665S. The position is urgently required to take account of the increased enrolment at this four-teacher school due to the proliferation of new housing in Drumlish. I am at a loss to understand the lack of action taken on this matter by the Department and its untoward delay in providing the school with a temporary teacher until the end of this school year, with a view to upgrading the post to a permanent one next September.

The principal and board of management made an application to the Department some time ago and parents at the school have signed a petition highlighting the overcrowding affecting their children's education. I have received numerous representations from parents, who are concerned for their children, and from the principal, Elizabeth Brady, the board of management and the teachers, who are providing top-quality education in extremely difficult circumstances.

There has been a great increase in the number of houses in Drumlish. Four new developments are already completed and almost 200 houses are now occupied. This has lead to increased demand for places at the school. There were 82 pupils enrolled at the school in 2003 and enrolment now stands at 118. This number is increasing and 120 are to be enrolled by Easter. However, despite the best efforts of the staff, the school is bursting at the seams, such that there is one class with 38 children and another with 31.

Implementing the new child-centred curriculum under such circumstances is extremely difficult. Class size represents the key challenge in the implementation of the curriculum. Smaller class sizes lead to more space for the individual pupils, increased one-to-one contact with teachers, better opportunities for children to engage in discussions and fewer distractions. The teacher becomes more familiar with pupils, can use innovative teaching techniques and has a greater opportunity to identify individual difficulties. Grouping of pupils is more difficult to achieve in large classes. Groups containing large numbers are less effective, whereas too many small groups make it is impossible for the teacher to allow sufficient time for every student.

Why is the Department of Education and Science continuing to turn a blind eye to the situation in St. Mary's, given the proven problems associated with large class sizes and the acknowledged benefits of a realistic pupil-teacher ratio? The Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, contributed to yesterday's statements in this House on the Learning to Teach report, when she stated:

All the expenditure and activity in the education system is ultimately designed to benefit the pupils. Central to this is ensuring that the quality of the education they receive is second to none.

The Minister will have to admit that, given the appalling situation in St. Mary's national school, where two classes have 38 and 31 pupils, respectively, her statements will be taken with a grain of salt. Education is the key to our children's futures but closing the purse strings when it comes to the staff needed for dynamic and thriving schools such as St. Mary's is counter-productive. In County Longford, we are extremely proud of schools such as St. Mary's, which have opened their doors to all newcomers to the area, but I am deeply concerned that the Minister will permit them to become victims of their own success. I would welcome a positive response to my request.