The decline is a result of a lower birth-rate which has so far affected the early years of schooling. The secondary school sector could witness the same effect in a few years’ time.

In October 1999, the government primary school population stood at 21,993, requiring 1,043 classes, usually with one teacher per class. In the last scholastic year, this figure fell by 2,712 to 19,281, bringing the classes needed down to 942 – 101 classes fewer in five years. The trend has been steady since 1999: a reduction of some 700 students per year.

On the staffing front, of the 138 applicants who attended interviews in the primary sector, only 75 were offered employment with government schools. This does not mean that there were 75 vacancies, because those offered jobs could have declined or may have found employment with private or Church schools.

A similar surplus of teachers was registered some three years ago. However, all applicants were offered a post by around March – towards the end of the scholastic year. This time, however, no jobs were offered to the 63 surplus applicants.

The situation is a little different in the secondary sector. It seems that the demographic trend has, so far, not affected the secondary school student population. In the main, an average of 18,500 students have been attending secondary schools for the past five years. The staffing situation also remains constant.