New figures released by the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) show a significant drop in lecturer numbers at a time when student numbers have sharply increased. The union is concerned by the effects that cutbacks are having on the quality of experience for students.
The number of students in the Institute of Technology sector rose by over 11,400 (17%) between 2008 and 2012 while 385 full-time lecturers (a cut of 8%) were lost between 2008 and 2013 as a result of cutbacks.
Funding for the sector decreased by 22% or €121.6m between 2008 and 2012.
TUI is calling for appropriate investment in the sector to allow it to meet the diverse needs of students and the future needs of the economy.
Commenting on the figures, TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann said that ‘while increased student participation at third level is always a positive, we are concerned by the severe effects that cutbacks are having on the quality of the educational experience for students.’
‘Academic support has been identified as critical in increasing student retention and completion rates, and this is of particular relevance during a student’s first year in higher education. 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.’
‘In addition, the increase in student numbers has led to a greater pressure on facilities such as laboratories where demand far outstrips supply.’
‘Institute 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 reflection. Other academic responsibilities include research, devising and updating syllabi on an on-going basis, course development and planning and extensive continuous and final assessment.’
‘Workload of an administrative nature has increased significantly. This is resulting in less time for research, scholarship and other academic duties such as engagement with industry and community.’
‘In the country’s current predicament, it is perverse and damaging that lecturers are being prevented by arid, bureaucratic demands from contributing as they would wish to the growth of the knowledge society and economy. Institutes are regional generators of innovation and entrepreneurship and need to be appropriately funded in order to build and maintain capacity to meet the future needs of the economy.’
‘TUI advocates more substantial and strategic budgets to support the regional mission of the institutes and boost economic recovery at a local level.’