New survey of principals illustrates devastating impact of cutbacks
A new survey conducted among principals by the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) shows the devastating impact that the cutbacks have had on the most vulnerable students in the education system.
Speaking today, TUI President Bernie Ruane said:
“Since the introduction of the block on the filling of promotional posts, many schools have lost a number positions at Assistant Principal and Special Duties post level.
A typical post of responsibility position would be year head. These posts holders fulfil a range of vital tasks with schools relying on these posts to carry out the pastoral care, administrative and other duties 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.
For many students, the classroom is the only safe place they know and they are now being denied the critical pastoral services of positions such as year head.
This block on filling of positions is having a particularly bad effect on the most vulnerable students in the education system.”
Principals were therefore asked to indicate the impact of loss of promotion posts on service provision in their schools by indicating the level of impact on each of the areas listed by ticking high, medium, low or none for each item.
The results of the survey demonstrate that the moratorium on promotional posts has impacted most severely in relation to:
1. Addressing discipline and behavioural issues.
79% of respondents stated that the non-filling of positions had a high to medium impact on the ability of the school to address discipline and behavioural issues. 46% stated that this had a high impact while 38% stated that this had a medium impact on the school’s ability to deal with such discipline and behavioural issues.
2. Provision of Pastoral Care /tutorial support
72% of respondents stated that the loss of promotional posts had a high to medium impact on the provision of pastoral care and tutorial support. 34% stated that the lost of such promotional posts had a high impact on the provision of pastoral care/tutorial support while 38% of respondents stated that the loss of such promotional posts had a medium impact on the provision of pastoral care/tutorial support.
3. Meeting parents on specific issues – discipline, special needs, poor attendance, student progress.
69% of respondents stated that the loss of promotional posts had a high to medium impact ( 34% stated this had a high impact and 35% stated that this had a medium impact) on service provision in relation to meeting parents on specific issues such as discipline, special needs, poor attendance and student progress.
4. Loss of Year Heads
More than two thirds of respondents (67%) stated that the loss of promotional posts had a high to medium impact on the loss of year heads in their schools. Almost half of all respondent (49 %) stated that the loss of year heads had a high impact on service provision in their schools.
5. Inability to collect data and follow up on poor attendance.
Approximately two thirds of respondents (65%) stated that the loss of promotional posts had a high to medium impact on the ability of their school to collect data and follow up on poor attendance.
35% of respondents stated that the loss of posts had a high impact on the ability of their school to collect data and follow up on poor attendance while 30% of respondents stated that it had a medium impact on their school to deliver such services.
Survey carried out among VEC and Community and Comprehensive principals in March 2011.