Proposed cuts to the education system could result in many schools cutting back on key subject areas due to a lack of available teaching resources.

This is according to general secretary of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland Pat King, who warned an increase in the pupil-teacher ratio would lead to some classes being dropped.

He said this could severely affect optional subjects including physics, chemistry or German, while schools may be forced to merge honours and ordinary classes in areas such as maths.

"This will damage students' career options and job prospects," Mr King stated, adding: "Merged classes, which are already a significant feature in second-level schools, lead to a diminished learning environment for every student in the class."

He noted dropping subjects such as physics harms Ireland's development of a knowledge-based economy, which will be vital to the nation's economic recovery in the years to come.

Recently, a Behaviour and Attitudes survey on behalf of the Teachers' Union of Ireland revealed three-quarters of people believe the education sector should be protected from large-scale government cuts in the next Budget statement.

Written by Donal Walsh
 

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