The Republic has one of the worst pupil/teacher ratios at primary level among industrialised countries, the latest statistics from the OECD reveal.
The OECD's Education At a Glance report found there were almost 22 pupils per teacher in the primary system, compared to the OECD average of 18. At second level the performance was better, with 14.6 pupils per teacher - the average among the 30 countries which make up the organisation. The ratio at third level - 17 to 1 - was above the OECD average of approximately 15 to 1.
Italy, Denmark and Hungary were the best performers in terms of pupil/teacher ratios. For example, at primary level Denmark had approximately 10 pupils per teacher.
The Irish National Teachers Organisation has been lobbying for years to have the primary ratio reduced, but progress has been very slow under several governments.
The only countries with a worse ratio at primary level were Korea, Turkey, Mexico, the Czech Republic and Britain - the figures relate to 1999. The report also shows the Republic trailing most industrialised states in relation to education spending.
The Government spent 4.7 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) on education, compared to the OECD average of about 5.5 per cent. The figures related to 1998.
Denmark, Korea, Norway, Iceland and Sweden were the four biggest spenders with approximately 7 per cent of their GDP going on education.
The Republic was different to many OECD members because of its low level of private investment in education. About 10 per cent of the funds spent here came from private sources, compared with about 25 per cent in Japan, the United States and Australia.
The Republic invests $2,745 per student in primary education, compared to an OECD average of $3,940; $3,934 on secondary education compared to the average of $5,294 and $8,522 on third level education compared to the average of $9,063.