The latest OECD Education At a Glance report outlines that Irish teachers teach longer hours at second level than their international counterparts. They also continue to earn less than those with similar qualifications and experience in other sectors in Ireland.
The report shows an upper secondary graduation rate of 93% and a high level of tertiary attainment, but it highlights a relatively low proportion of 25-64 year olds in education.
Speaking today, TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann said:
‘Many of the findings in today’s reports affirm the excellent job being done in Irish schools. Ireland has a 93% upper secondary graduation rate, which is well above the OECD average of 84%. This is a tribute to the innovation of Irish teachers at a time when schools are struggling to cope with the damaging effects of austerity cuts, especially cuts to vital programmes that previously benefited the most disadvantaged students.
The huge increase in third level attainment (up to 49% from 2000’s 30% for 25-34 year-olds) is a remarkable testament to the work of lecturers who have to deal with the withering effects of cuts in staffing and budget under the Employment Control Framework.
In a key finding, the report highlights that the number of teaching hours per annum for Irish second level teachers is 735, which is far in excess of the OECD average of 675 (OECD lower secondary average: 694; OECD upper secondary average: 655). By way of a local comparison, the figure for England is 692 hours. Compulsory instruction time in Ireland at lower secondary of 935 hours was also considerably higher that the OECD average of 905 hours and the EU21 average of 882. Sweden, Norway, Germany, Belgium, England, Finland and Denmark are among those countries with lower levels of instruction time.
Today’s report also highlights that teachers in Ireland earn just 81% of the salary of workers with similar education levels in Ireland, compared to an OECD average at upper secondary of 92%. Even then, it must be borne in mind that this is based on those lucky enough to have full hours, and we would estimate that up to half of teachers under 35 are on contracts of less than full hours. In actual fact, many Irish teachers on part time hours do not earn a living wage.
Of concern is that Ireland is only at the OECD average – 51% - in terms of participation by 25-64 year olds in education and desired learning activities. The mean literacy score among this cohort was also found to be low. Clearly, lifelong learning needs to be further promoted and properly funded to offer people of all ages and backgrounds the option to avail of the public education system. Lip service will not suffice.
In overall funding terms, the percentage of public expenditure on education (2011) is 13.1%. This is larger than the 2010 figure but considerably less than it was in 2000, 2005 and 2008.
The report endorses the value of education to the individual, showing that a worker in Ireland with tertiary education earns on average twice as much as someone with below secondary education. People with higher levels of education are also more likely to report being in good health, and are also more likely to volunteer at least once per month.
At a time when most indicators suggest that the worst of the country’s economic difficulties may be behind us, this report makes clear the societal and educational value of appropriate investment in education. It is time, beginning with the upcoming Budget, to reverse the austerity cutbacks as a matter of national priority.’