On the day that the Minister for Education and Skills published the first performance report into the Higher Education System, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI), which represents lecturers in Institutes of Technology, has warned of the damaging effects that cutbacks are having on the quality of experience for students.
‘The figures in today’s reports are stark. Over a six year period, the higher education system delivered 25,000 extra student spaces, with expenditure by student dropping by 15% and a reduction of almost 2,000 in staff numbers,’ said TUI Deputy General Secretary Annette Dolan.
‘Increased student participation is always a positive, but it is absolutely crucial that appropriate investment be made in the sector to allow it to meet the diverse needs of students and the future needs of the economy.’
‘Academic support has been identified as being critical in increasing student retention and completion rates, particularly during a student’s first year in higher education. However, class sizes have increased and lectures are often overcrowded. Due to the reduction in academic staff numbers, the workload of lecturers has increased dramatically, resulting in reduced time for academic support for students.’
‘Institute of Technology lecturers teach 18 to 20 hours per week in contrast with the international norm of ten to twelve. For each hour of teaching, a multiple is spent in preparation, evaluation and on a whole range of other academic responsibilities. Administrative workload has increased significantly, and this is resulting in less time for research, scholarship and other academic duties such as engagement with industry.’
‘TUI strongly advocates considerably more substantial and strategic budgets to support the regional mission of Institutes of Technology and boost economic recovery at a local level.’