Madam, - John Carr (September 1st) is of course right when he laments that "Irish class sizes are the highest in the EU and a world away from those in the Nordic countries where children score highest in literacy tests". Large classes just do not work both for teachers and children alike.
One possible solution is to raise the entry age from four to five years as an older child would be better able to cope with the following problems: large classes (30-plus); absent teachers - when the class is divided throughout the school; substitute teachers (often not teachers at all!); and in-service days, when the child must remain at home.
However, the difficulty in beginning formal education at five years is that we have no State-run pre-schools and the private ones are very expensive for young parents. In any event, if we are to support our children at this most important time in their lives we, parents and teachers alike, should protest strongly to a Government which at present is failing to deliver the quality service required to ensure a quality future for our children.
Third-level education is irrelevant to a youngster who is not motivated to learn at secondary level because of poor performances at primary level. Large classes and immature children are a sure recipe for disaster. Wake up before it is too late! - Yours, etc.,
BRENDA MORGAN,
Asgard Park,
Howth,
Co Dublin.