§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the pupil/teacher ratio is in Northern Ireland's primary and post-primary schools; and what it is projected to be in each of the next five years. [110568]
§ Jane KennedyThe pupil/teacher ratios for 2002–03 are not yet available. The most recent information available is as follows:
2001–02 Primary schools 19.9 Preparatory departments 16.9 Post primary schools 14.4
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1998/99 1999/2000 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 (a) Primary Schools Belfast 30,304 29,378 28,717 27,995 26,984 Western 34,028 33,293 33,246 32,860 32,643 North Eastern 39,244 38,926 38,743 38,758 38,713 South Eastern 36,902 36,565 36,487 36,628 36,344 Southern 41,236 40,794 40,436 40,099 39,467 All Boards 181,714 178,956 177,629 176,340 174,151 Preparatory Departments Belfast 1,652 1,593 1,490 1,415 1,355 Western 50 36 28 20 9 North Eastern 289 244 159 145 160 South Eastern 1,049 1,019 1,015 990 997 Southern 149 131 126 129 130 All Boards 3,189 3,023 2,818 2,699 2,651 The Department does not calculate projected pupil/teacher ratios.