Classroom overcrowding is failing children with additional needs – Kildare South TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Special Education, Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh TD, has expressed deep concern following revelations that Ireland has the largest primary school class sizes in the EU.

The Kildare South TD was reacting to figures released last month by the Department of Education.

Deputy Ní Raghallaigh said: “Nearly 10% of primary school students in the state are in unfit learning environments. 43,464 are in classes with over 30 pupils. This is not good enough.  

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“The average primary school class size here is 22.5, compared to a European average of 19. We are trailing behind our European counterparts in this respect due to chronic underinvestment in our education system.

“As a former primary school teacher myself, I am deeply familiar with the strain big class sizes place on teachers and the sense that you are not able to provide the best quality education to your pupils, despite your best efforts. It’s not fair on anybody.”

According to Deputy Ní Raghallaigh, the government is reneging on promises made in this Programme for Government - “as they did in the previous term” - to reduce class sizes in line with international best practice. 

She said: “Government talks a good game about inclusive education. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and the department have said the vast majority of children with additional needs should be educated in mainstream classes.

“But how can that happen effectively when we have the biggest class sizes in Europe? How can a teacher meaningfully differentiate their teaching and give every child the attention they need in a class with over 30 students?”

The Sinn Féin TD said what this means in practice is that the children who need the most tailored support – children with disabilities, learning difficulties, or trauma – are the ones falling furthest behind.

“Families are left feeling abandoned, teachers are overwhelmed, and children are suffering”, she said.

She added: “We need urgent reform to bring our classroom sizes in line with European norms.  That means recruiting more teachers, investing in school infrastructure, and prioritising children with additional needs instead of sidelining them. This government cannot continue to speak about inclusion while creating the conditions for exclusion.

“Sinn Féin is committed to delivering a fairer education. Every child deserves the chance to thrive in school. That starts with class sizes that allow teachers to teach and students to learn.”