Pupil shortage

FALLING birth rates mean that the number of students enrolling in primary schools is dropping significantly as we approach the…

FALLING birth rates mean that the number of students enrolling in primary schools is dropping significantly as we approach the millennium. Recent Department of Education projections show the number of students enrolled in primary schools dropping by about 10,000 a year. By the year 2000/2001, the number of pupils in primary education will have fallen to 421,400, a drop of almost 70,000 in the seven years from 1994/ 95.

At second level, the total numbers enrolled will continue to rise until 1997/98 when 380,800 students will be in second level education. This increase is due to the introduction of the Transition Year which means that most pupils will stay in second level education for six rather than five years. However, by the year 2000/2001 total enrolment will have dropped to 368,100.