Staff numbers will have dropped by the end of 2003

Figures from local authorities show that 246 teachers are being made redundant, taking voluntary redundancy or have accepted early retirement packages.

But just 33 of those posts are being replaced - meaning there will be 213 fewer teachers in Welsh schools.

A BBC investigation has discovered that, across the 22 councils of Wales, there will be 62 compulsory redundancies, 57 voluntary redundancies and 127 early retirements.

The majority of the 246 staff will go at the end of the summer term, while the rest are expected to leave by Christmas.

I was angry and it hit me hard Redundant teacher Anna Nicholas

One of the reasons for the cuts has been identified as the falling birthrate in Wales.

About 75% of school funding is determined by the number of children attending schools, and a reduction in pupils brings a cut in the number of teachers.

Nearly 45,000 children were born in Wales in 1961 - that had dropped to below 36,000 by 1981, and to below 31,000 in the latest census in 2001.

Teacher Anna Nicholas, 26, lost her job at Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf in May after her first year as a full-time teacher.

The school cited a lack of funding as the reason for making her redundant.

Ms Nichols said: "I'd been working there for seven months when we first started hearing about the possibility of redundancies.

"Soon afterwards, in May, I was told by letter.

Unions fear more cuts will be made

"I was devastated because I had to find a new job and I was fairly desperate to find a job by September.

"The reason given was that the school's funds were not enough to cover teachers' pay.

"I was angry and it hit me hard for a couple of weeks."

Teaching unions are dismayed by the cuts in teacher numbers.

Officials have said schools in Wales are being under funded by �40m, although the Welsh assembly has increased funding to local authorities.

'Larger class sizes'

Karl Davies, Director of NAHT Cymru, said: "So much (money) has been swallowed up by inflation in the system.

"Teachers' pay has gone up, as have pensions contributions.

"It means there are going to be larger class sizes."

Tim Cox NASUWT representative for south east Wales, added: "Fifteen years ago, there wouldn't have been compulsory redundancies in this situation, it's the compulsories I'm concerned about."

Claims that schools are under funded have been strongly denied by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Education Minister Jane Davidson said that budgets at schools were on the increase.

She said that average funding per pupil in 2003/4 would be �3,499 - an increase of 10% on last year's figure of �3,167.

She also announced that school budget forums will be created in each local authority, and would be set up in time to consider next year's budgets.

"I believe the forums will lead to better informed debate about the needs of schools leading up to the annual decisions about local authority budgets," she said.