“Figures trotted out by the Department of Education and Science represent an ill-informed commentary in respect of how much time teachers work and are a mischievous attempt to undermine a frontline service already under severe strain. Those choosing to engage in this discussion should arm themselves with more details about the daily and weekly working life of a teacher.

Preliminary results from an independent study conducted by market research company, Behaviour & Attitudes shows that in addition to class contact hours, teachers work in excess of a further 20 hours per week. This places the weekly working hours for second level teachers in the range of 40-45 hours.

At second level actual teaching time in Ireland is above the OECD average.

Data presented by the Department of Education and Science reflects only the core hours spent teaching and does not embrace other wide-ranging and essential functions and tasks undertaken by teachers. The Department officials and other closely involved in education are well aware of this and while they acknowledge that the actual teaching time is higher than the OECD average they fail to present the true facts.

Other countries present teachers’ weekly and annual working hours in a format that include tasks in addition to teaching. There is therefore an inherent danger in comparing the raw data from Ireland with that from other countries without providing a fair context and explaining these facts. This approach misguides the debate and such analysis creates a false impression of school life and the work of teachers in this country.             

Daily functions outside of class contact time typically involve preparing for classes, marking students’ work, administrative work associated with school attendance and discipline and general planning. This is before they embrace the crucial pastoral care role, dealing with special needs and supporting extracurricular activities which underpin strong personal and social development for young people.”