'TUI Warns budget cuts will 'asset-strip' education'
- Irish Times 20/10/08
'More than 1,200 school jobs will go, says union' - Irish Independent 20/10/08
'Teacher unions and parent groups to fight budget cuts' - Irish Examiner 20/10/08
TUI CASE STUDIES SHOW HOW CUTS WILL DEVASTATE SCHOOLS -
UNION CONFIRMS CLOSER CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER TEACHER UNIONS
The Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) today rubbished the pretence that the education cuts affect only 200 jobs at second level – the union has calculated 1200 more job cuts than if the cuts had not taken place. The union has also provided working examples of how typical schools will be asset-stripped.
TUI has agreed to further the agenda of greater teacher union co-operation by agreeing in principle at a special congress on Saturday the concept of a teacher union federation among the four teacher Unions.
General Secretary Peter MacMenamin said that "closer co-operation among teacher unions will give a force of 55,000 teachers unified in total opposition to the savage cuts across the education service. "
Mr MacMenamin continued:
"It is simply untrue that the cuts will affect only 200 jobs at second level – more than 1200 jobs will be targeted by the Budget cutbacks."
"The Government commitment to protect the weakest in society is rendered a total lie by the actions of the Ministers collectively. Clearly, the weakest and those without a powerful voice to raise their issues have been brutally attacked.
We will vigorously fight these shameful cutbacks in the coming days."
The union has also presented some working models of how typical schools will be asset-stripped by the cutbacks which will hit all 730 second level schools. See also further explanatory notes at end of document.
School A - Large Suburban Area, West Dublin
Total number of students - 480.
Loss of 1.3 teachers
Number of Travellers -10. Loss of additional capitation grant per student (€427).
Total loss € 4,270.
Number of Foreign Nationals – 288. Loss of entitlement to 4 language support teachers
Number doing Junior Certificate School Programme (JCSP) 60. Loss of grant per student €63, only payable once during programme.
Total loss approx € 1260
Number doing Transition Year - 70. Loss of additional grant aid per student €100.
Total loss €7,000
Number doing Leaving Certificate Applied Programme – 40. Loss of grant aid per student €159.
Total Loss €6360.
Number taking Physics and Chemistry 25. Loss of grant per student €13.
Approx loss €325
Number taking Home Economics 120. Loss of additional grant per student. This seems to be paid with the standard capitation. Conflicting information provided.
Total loss likely to be in the region of €500 (based on limited information available.
Loses benefit of library support from local authority.
Retains status under DEIS so probably wont be significantly affected by withdrawal of book allowance.
Summary
Loss of 1.3 teachers
Loss of 4 language support teachers
Loss of €19,715
Loses benefit of library support from local authority.
School B – North East, Dublin Commuter belt
Total number of students - 320 .
Loss of .95 ( 1) teacher
Number of Travellers -20. Loss of additional capitation grant per student (€427).
Total loss € 8,540
Number of Foreign Nationals – 120. Loss of entitlement to 4 language support teachers
Number doing Junior Certificate School Programme (JCSP) 40. Loss of grant per student €63, only payable once during programme.
Total loss approx € 945
Number doing Transition Year - 40. Loss of additional grant aid per student €100.
Total loss €4,000
Number doing Leaving Certificate Applied Programme – 50. Loss of grant aid per student €159.
Total Loss €7950.
Number taking Physics and Chemistry 15. Loss of grant per student €13.
Approx loss €195
Number taking Home Economics 160. Loss of additional grant per student. This seems to be paid with the standard capitation. Conflicting information provided.
Total loss likely to be in the region of €550 (based on limited information available).
Loses benefit of library support from local authority
Retains status under DEIS so probably wont be significantly affected by withdrawal of book allowance.
Summary
Loss of 1 teacher
Loss of 4 language support teachers
Loss of €22,180
Loses benefit of library support from local authority.
Notes to editor:
In addition to general consequences of lower pupil teacher ratio (restricted subject choice especially rural school an small schools, restricted options at higher and ordinary level, less time for pastoral care, tutorial support) loss of grant aid to programmes such as Leaving Certificate Applied and Junior Cert Schools Programme is a particular blow to students who need most support at school. A significant aim of these programmes is to promote/support retention and enable all students to reach their potential.
The programmes embrace experiential and research based learning practices and adapt a variety of teaching and learning methodologies aimed to accommodate a wide mix of learning styles among students. Withdrawal of grant aid will significantly restrict the capacity of schools to provide students with the mix of learning experiences that are crucial in enabling them to reach their potential.
Inability of schools to support certain aspects of the programme (field studies, study visits, exploratory research work, and practical tasks) will lead to schools suspending such activity which will undermine the core philosophy and aims of the programmes in question. This will also impact on examination components some of which are completed during the programme and are based on research and practical activities. One cannot ignore that fact that students overall examinations results may well be adversely affected due to reduced access to supports and resources.
If schools wish to retain the current level of activities that support experiential teaching and learning clearly an increased financial burden will transfer to parents, many of whom are on social welfare or among low income earners. Withdrawal of grants is another tax on the most vulnerable parents.
Language support
Withdrawal of language support in the first instance impact negatively on the development of competence in the English language. It may/will thereby adversely affect the learning environment in all classes and the capacity of foreign students to achieve in the range of subjects and perform in the state examinations. It will also inhibit efforts to promote interculturalism throughout the school population.
Library
Most schools have limited or no library facilities. Where there is a school based library it is often poorly resourced. Withdrawal of library grants through the local authorities is a draconian measure. The impact of this measure will be most severe in localities where there is less social and cultural capital within the local community and/or at home. Once again the most likely students to be adversely affected are those who are already disadvantaged e.g. whose families are on low income families, whose parents have low or no formal qualifications, who have access to few educational materials and resources at home, who are from communities of high socio economic disadvantage.
Substitution
Withdrawal of substitution arrangements will affect the availability of qualified teachers to teach classes when their colleagues are legitimately absent. It will also put immense pressure on schools with regard to organising study visits and field work. Apart from the general value of such activities in enhancing teaching and learning they are essential components of some examination subjects and underpin second assessment components e.g. LCA, Since schools need to draw on external resources to support learning in some, in the event that schools have to withdraw from field work and study visits the quality of teaching and learning will be adversely affected and integrity of the state examinations may be undermined.