KEY POINTS:
The PPTA has called for an assurance that teacher-student ratios will be reduced, following research on school class sizes released today.
Figures from 66 schools studied by the union showed students spend one hour in every 10 in classes of 30 or more, and half of their time in classes of 25 or more.
PPTA president Robin Duff said large class sizes meant a lack of individual attention to students, limited constructive student interaction, constraints on teaching approaches, and resources spread too thinly.
Mr Duff said they also meant fewer opportunities for practical work, increased marking pressure on teachers, more behaviour management issues, and safety issues associated with inadequate physical space.
He said the government had committed itself to reducing class sizes and called for an assurance teacher-student ratios would be reduced by two at every year level.
With current class sizes a student might, with luck, get to spend just six minutes one-on-one time per week with each of their teachers, he said.
- NEWSTALK ZB
