AT THE time of writing, lecturers represented by the TUI in Sligo RTC were refusing to teach students in a merged science class in the college because student numbers had exceeded the TUI quota by almost 100 per cent.

Last year there were 55 students in the BCSI science class this year the number jumped to 109, prompting TUI officials to instruct members not to teach the class 55 students is the maximum class size permissible under TUI guidelines.

Practical classes halve not been affected by the dispute, according to the college, since these are conducted in a ratio of 16 students per lecturer.

"The students' union is supporting the strike, but we want something done about the situation, such as a rescheduled timetable, cutting class numbers or hiring more part time staff," Dave Healy, vice president of Sligo RTC students' union, said. "It's part of a larger national problem, because overcrowding is a serious problem not only in Sligo, but in every RTC.

John Cosgrove, secretary and financial controller of Sligo RTC, said the college is "extremely concerned" at the situation and that it had been involved in "substantial discussions" with the TUI since October. He said the issue of class size was a matter for discuss ion at national level and that the college would implement at local level any agreement reached nationally. He also said that the number of man hours had increased in proportion to the increase in class size, from 57 hours last year for 55 students to 107 hours this year for 109.

USI president Colm Keaveney said the fundamental issue was that students were being turned away from classes. "Sligo RTC has serious problems with overcrowding and the college is taking in more students than it should," he said. "There seems to be a lack of communication between the college and the Minister."