IRISH teachers are among the highest paid in the world, according to a new report.
Whilst teachers in Ireland are expected to spend more time in the classroom, the average starting salary at primary school level is 17 per cent above the international average.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published the Education at a Glance Report 2015 on Tuesday, November 24.
The report compares the costs and characteristics of education systems in industrialised countries, from primary years through to university.
Comparing data from 34 countries, the report revealed that starting salaries for primary school teachers are around £3,300 above the OECD average.
Top paid upper secondary school teachers in Ireland could potentially earn more than £6,600 above the OECD average.
It also stated that Irish class sizes, whilst higher than many other countries, have fallen since 2005.
Furthermore, teachers in Ireland are required to work a greater number of hours than their OECD counterparts; 915 hours at primary level compared to the OECD average of 772.
The salaries of pre-primary, primary and lower secondary teachers in England and Scotland is comparatively lower than the OECD average.
The report shows England and Scotland were amongst five nations where salaries fell by more than five per cent between 2008 and 2013.
"These uncompetitive salaries (England and Scotland) will make it harder to attract the best candidates to the teaching profession," the report said.
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