Almost half of recent entrants to post-primary teaching believe it is unlikely or very unlikely that they will still be in the profession in ten years’ time, according to the findings of a new survey by the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI). However, if pay equality was restored, 94% said it was likely or very likely that they would remain in the profession.
Just 22% received a contract of full hours in their first year of teaching.
The survey also highlights significant involvement (91%) in unpaid, extra-curricular activities outside of timetabled hours by new and recent entrants.
The union is calling for an immediate end to pay discrimination against teachers and lecturers.
The online survey of 376 teachers who commenced teaching after 1st January 2011 was carried out in March 2018. TUI’s Annual Congress takes place in Wexford this week, where pay discrimination will once again be the dominant theme.
Commenting on the findings, TUI President Joanne Irwin said:
Findings confirm the crisis of pay discrimination and identify the only viable solution
‘These stark findings confirm that the hugely damaging effects of pay discrimination on the teaching profession and on the education service are worsening. Just twelve months ago, 29% of new and recent entrants said that they did not see themselves in the job in ten years’ time. The situation has deteriorated significantly, with 46% now seeing their futures elsewhere. This is wholly consistent with an ever-worsening recruitment and retention crisis that all stakeholders – with the exception of the Minister and his Department – have acknowledged and highlighted.’
‘The one viable solution to this problem remains the same – pay discrimination must be ended as a matter of urgency. If this was achieved, 94% state that they would still see themselves in the profession in ten years’ time.’
Just one in five teachers receives a contract of full hours in their first year
‘In another significant finding, just 22% received a contract of full hours in their first year of teaching. This confirms that almost four out of every five second level teachers - who get their first teaching post at an average age of 26, often saddled with debt after six years of study - earn just a fraction of the starting salary that the Minister so regularly quotes.’
Significant engagement in unpaid, extra-curricular activities
‘The survey also shows the significant voluntary engagement by teachers in activities that benefit students. 91% are engaged in unpaid, extra-curricular activities– outside of timetabled hours – such as sports, drama, musicals and debating. 35% spend up to two hours a week, 39.5% spend between two and four hours and 25.5% spend in excess of four hours a week on these activities.’
Serious concerns over drift to bureaucratic duties
‘Teachers clearly derive significant satisfaction from the core duties of their role, with 81% agreeing that they enjoy the day-to-day work of teaching. However, there is growing concern at form-filling and box-ticking overload, with 84% agreeing that bureaucratic duties regularly deflect from their core role of teaching.’
Status of teaching has fallen
‘93% believe that the morale of teachers had fallen in recent years, while 95% believe that the status of teaching has fallen.
Worryingly, but perhaps not surprisingly given the scourge of pay discrimination, 52% would not advise a younger relative to pursue the profession of teaching.
These findings make clear the severe damage that pay discrimination has wreaked on teacher morale and on the education system. They also make clear that the situation will continue to worsen until pay equality is restored.’
TUI survey of teachers who commenced employment after 1st January 2011
The online survey of 376 teachers was carried out in March 2018
What effect has pay inequality had on staff morale in your school?
95.21% said it had a negative (48.4%) or very negative (46.81%) effect.
At the moment, how likely do you think it is that you will still be working in the teaching profession in ten years’ time?
46% said it was unlikely (28.46%) or very unlikely (17.55%).
18.88% said it was neither likely nor unlikely.
35% said it was likely (23.67%) or very likely (11.44%).
If pay equality was to be fully restored, how likely do you think it is that you would still be working in the teaching profession in ten years’ time?
94% said it was very likely (68.62%) or likely (25.27%).
3.19% said it was neither likely nor unlikely.
2.92% said it was unlikely (1.06%) or very unlikely (1.86%)
Are you involved in unpaid, extra-curricular activities – outside of timetabled hours – such as sports, drama, musicals or debating etc.?
91.49% said ‘Yes’.
Of this proportion:
35% spend up to two hours a week
39.5% spend between two and four hours a week and
25.5% spend in excess of four hours a week on such activities.
Did you receive a contract of full hours in your first year of teaching?
22.13% received a contract of full hours in their first year. 77.87% did not.
To what extent do you agree with the following statement?
‘I enjoy the day- to-day work of teaching.’
81.33% agreed (52.8%) or strongly agreed (28.53%). 10.4% neither agreed nor disagreed. 8.27% disagreed (7.2%) or strongly disagreed (1.07%).
To what extent do you agree with the following statement?
‘I often have to take work home with me, which impacts on my personal time.’
97% strongly agreed (71.58%) or agreed (25.2%). 1.34% neither agreed nor disagreed. 1.88% disagreed (1.61%) or strongly disagreed (0.27%)
To what extent do you agree with the following statement?
‘Bureaucratic duties regularly deflect from my core role of teaching.’
84% strongly agreed (44%) or agreed (40%). 12.53% neither agreed nor disagreed. 3.47% disagreed.
To what extent do you agree with the following statement?
‘The morale of teachers has fallen in recent years.’
93% strongly agreed (68.1%) or agreed (24.93%). 6.17% neither agreed nor disagreed. 0.8% disagreed.
To what extent do you agree with the following statement?
‘The status of the teaching profession has fallen in recent years.’
95% strongly agreed (72.34%) or agreed (23.14%). 2.93% neither agreed nor disagreed. 1.6% disagreed (1.33%) or strongly disagreed (0.27%).
Would you advise a younger relative to pursue the profession of teaching?
12.23% said ‘Yes’.
51.86% said ‘No’.
35.9% said that they weren’t sure.