Hundreds of people including parents, teachers, local representatives and others filled a north Dublin primary school hall last night in the latest of a series of meetings organised by the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) on class size.
Those present at St Brigid's Boys National School in Killester heard contributions from union and parent representatives, local teachers, parents and elected representatives.
A DVD presentation on class sizes was also shown. This was followed by details of an INTO survey which revealed that average class sizes in the Dublin North Central and North East constituencies are 28 to one when disadvantaged students are excluded.
John Broderick from Artane, a parent of three children, said the campaign on class sizes reminded him of when he went to school.
"There were 48 in my class . . . I think large class sizes impact on the quality of education they receive. If the class is smaller, the child will benefit," he said.
Tanya Dowd from Killester was at last night's meeting because her own daughter, who is now in first class, started school in a class of 34.
"I'm worried about her, I'm worried about her future. I feel completely betrayed by the Government," she said.
"I hope that in the year of a general election, TDs and Ministers in the Government might realise how strongly people feel about this and not fob them off with false promises".
Denise Bridgeman, a parent and representative with the National Parents Council (primary), added that the meetings were a good opportunity to provide parents with information on how Irish primary school class sizes compare with the rest of Europe.
In his address, INTO general secretary John Carr said the issue of class sizes at primary level was about "giving children a fair start in life".
"Allowing large class sizes to be a part of our education system today is morally wrong,"he said.
He added that when politicians could promise a reduction in taxes costing the country millions, it was "surely" not too much to ask for a commitment to reduce class sizes.
Some 30 further meetings, which are being organised to exert pressure on the Government before the general election, are planned around the State in the coming weeks.
The INTO is calling on the Cabinet to honour commitments made in the Programme for Government that class sizes for children under nine years of age would be reduced to fewer than 20.
In total 85 out of every 100 primary school pupils are in classes above Government targets, the union claims.