NI school classes 'biggest in UK'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8509555.stm

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Two teachers unions have joined forces to press for smaller class sizes in Northern Ireland.

The Ulster Teachers Union and Irish National Teachers Organisation say teachers find it easier to see pupils' problems when classes are smaller.

The unions call their campaign "crowded out" and say NI primary school classes are the biggest in the UK, and those in the UK are among the world's biggest.

Only Turkey's, Brazil's and Chile's are larger, the unions claim.

School principals say making classes smaller is the best way to improve learning achievement.

If teachers can spot a child in difficulty, they say they can give extra support and that is not possible, they say, when classes have up to 35 pupils.

The unions say one in eight pupils in Northern Ireland is being taught in a class of more than 30 pupils although the average size is just over 20.

The INTO and the UTU have been working closely together on the campaign and say reducing class sizes would also provide posts for newly qualified teachers who cannot find jobs.