Leitrim pupils still face overcrowded classrooms

Pupils in Leitrim continue to face overcrowded classrooms. Nationally, the average class size has dropped to its lowest level in 20 years, yet Leitrim remains one of the counties most affected by oversized classes, highlighting significant regional disparities.

According to the Department of Education's annual Census for 2023/2024, the number of pupils enrolled in primary education dropped by 4,000 last year, contributing to a reduction in overcrowded classes nationwide. While there were 10,000 fewer pupils in classrooms of 30 or more, nearly one in 10 pupils across Ireland are still in oversized classes.

In Leitrim, this issue remains particularly acute, with many pupils continuing to struggle in crowded learning environments. Alongside Donegal, Sligo, and Monaghan, Leitrim ranks among the counties most likely to have oversized classes.

These trends in enrolments also reflect wider changes in the primary school landscape. As the number of schools continues to gradually decline due to closures and amalgamations, Catholic schools still dominate the system, with 88.4% of mainstream primary schools maintaining a Catholic ethos in 2023.

Furthermore, the enrolment data provides insight into how Ireland has responded to the Ukrainian crisis. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, a significant number of Ukrainian pupils have joined Ireland’s primary education system. By 21st December 2023, a total of 11,165 Ukrainian pupils were enrolled in primary schools, an increase of 1,024 since June 2023. The highest enrolment is seen in third class, with 13.8% of these pupils placed in this year group.

The presence of Ukrainian students has added pressure to schools already grappling with overcrowding, especially in regions like Leitrim where oversized classes were already a problem. 

While the national trend points towards a positive reduction in class sizes, the situation in Leitrim demonstrates that overcrowding remains a critical issue.