The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has welcomed the findings of an independent survey conducted by Behaviour & Attitudes which shows that the general public believe that the role of the second level teacher has become more difficult in the past ten years.
62% of the public surveyed perceived that the range of weekly tasks second level teachers have to complete nowadays have increased compared to ten years ago, with only one in ten believing that these have decreased.
TUI has also warned that the non-filling of vacant year head and other positions in schools is severely damaging the support network for the most vulnerable students.
TUI’s annual conference begins in Tralee on Tuesday.
Speaking today, TUI President Bernie Ruane said:
“Teachers care passionately about their profession and the students they teach, and this independent survey shows that there is an appreciation among the general public as to the increased range of weekly tasks and the increasingly difficult nature of the job.
Of particular concern to teachers at the moment is the removal of the support framework for students provided by the positions such as year head which are no longer being filled when vacant. Schools rely on these posts to carry out the pastoral care, administrative and other tasks which are fundamental to their operation.
As a result of the loss of these positions, there is often no longer anybody in a position to intervene in a timely manner in cases of bullying or absenteeism. All across the country, huge groups are without vital positions such as year head and this is resulting in small problems quickly escalating into large problems. It is also making it increasingly difficult for schools to fulfil many of the legislative requirements pertaining to the welfare and health and safety of students. This block on filling of positions is having a particularly bad effect on the most vulnerable students in the education system.
Meanwhile, 62% of the public surveyed as part of an independent Behaviour & Attitudes survey perceived that the range of weekly tasks second level teachers have to complete nowadays have increased compared to ten years ago, with only one in ten believing that these have decreased.
In addition, 58% of the adult population believe the total number of hours spent working per week by second level teachers in addition to classroom teaching have increased.
The public believe that a typical second level teacher works an additional 14 hours per week over the 22 hours of tuition time. The reality is actually considerably higher. A study also carried out by Behaviour & Attitudes last year found that teachers are working an average of 46 hours a week, and this was conducted before the extra hour was added as part of the Croke Park Agreement.
The most ‘top of mind’ additional tasks/activities which the public believes teachers are engaged in centres around extra curricular activities and correcting student work, followed by preparing for classes. Only when prompted does the public acknowledge the full breadth of additional teacher tasks and activities. However public acknowledgement of specific additional teacher tasks has increased since 2009.
In addition, three in five of the public feel that compared to 10 years ago the role of a second level teacher has become more difficult.”