Press Releases

The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has reiterated its support for holding the 2021 Leaving Certificate examinations, including second components such as orals, practicals and projects.   The union does not believe that a system of calculated grades or similar will reduce stress and anxiety in the school community and has expressed concerns about the lack of data on which teachers’ estimated marks could be based compared to last year’s process.   In addition, the union has said it has significant concerns about the feasibility of offering students a choice between calculated grades and a written examination. Clearly, teaching and preparing a class split into those seeking a calculated grade and those preparing to do a Leaving Certificate examination would be extremely challenging in the time remaining.    TUI has also stated that external moderation in any system is essential in ensuring consistency and public trust.   Speaking today, TUI President Martin Marjoram said:   ‘We fully acknowledge the high levels of stress and anxiety in school communities, especially among those students who are due to take the state examinations this year.   

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At an Executive Committee meeting this evening, it was decided that Teachers’ Union of Ireland members will not be attending their workplaces for in-school teaching next Monday, 11th January, or on subsequent days but will be available to provide emergency remote teaching and to support their students including, in particular, students with special educational needs. Therefore, the TUI welcomes the decision now taken, somewhat belatedly, by Government to finally do the right thing.

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Responding to today’s announcement regarding provision for Leaving Certificate students next week, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has expressed serious concern around both the health and safety risks and logistical problems posed by the move.

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The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has criticised the failure of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) to provide central guidance and direction on the provision of apprenticeship education in ETBs and in Institutes of Technology, Technological University Dublin and Munster Technological University.   The Union, which represents 20,000 members in Post Primary, Further/Adult Education and Higher Education settings, has called for the Department to immediately issue direction that physical classes be delayed and temporary online lessons be prioritised in the current climate.   Speaking today, TUI President Martin Marjoram said:   ‘Over the last number of days, we have repeatedly sought direction from DFHERIS on the status of apprenticeship education in the current climate. Apprentices have travelled from all parts of the country to participate in apprenticeship training in colleges and training centres. Regrettably, no guidelines have been issued in relation to this and it is being left in the hands of individual institutions and ETBs to decide on their approach.  This failure to provide guidance is grossly irresponsible in the context of the frightening increase in the numbers of COVID-19 cases. Our members have expressed huge levels of concern and anxiety about this situation and the ongoing silence from the Department to our repeated requests is completely unacceptable and poses a potential risk to public health.   Given the alarming national picture in terms of the pandemic, we believe it would be entirely reasonable that physical classes be temporarily delayed and where possible be replaced with online lessons instead until it is safe to return to face-to-face contact on campus.   However, with interaction on-campus scheduled for this week, this direction must issue immediately in the interests of the health and safety of students, academic staff and the wider community.   Once again, we are demanding that Minister Harris and his Department appropriately represent the sector that they are tasked with overseeing and immediately provide this guidance.’    

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Commenting this evening on the announcement by the Taoiseach of a delay in the re-opening of schools after the Christmas holidays, Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) General Secretary Michael Gillespie said that the delay in re-opening must be used to ensure that schools are as safe as possible for students and staff.

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The Executive Committee of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) this evening unanimously decided to recommend rejection of the new public service agreement proposals, Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021-2022.  

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The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has described Ireland’s strong showing in the latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) as a tribute to the commitment and dedication of Irish students and teachers.       The union highlighted that Irish school communities are operating at a considerable disadvantage compared to many international counterparts due to unacceptably low investment levels at second level.      

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The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has said that ensuring the health and safety of students and staff must remain the key priority in any move to increase on-site activity on third level campuses and in the further education and training sector in the new year.  

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“The scandal of unequal pay continues to affect the teaching profession. Over the last decade each of our trade unions has sought to end this ongoing injustice and significant progress has been made.

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The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has said that serious consideration should be given to closing schools for the Christmas break on the afternoon of Friday 18th December rather than on Tuesday 22nd December. 

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The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) today said that projections which show a significant increase in student numbers at second level in the coming years make clear the need for greatly increased, targeted investment in the sector.  

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The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) extends its support to the Debenhams workers who are being unfairly denied the implementation of a collectively negotiated redundancy package.   We echo the call of Mandate trade union for immediate, definitive action from the Taoiseach and the Government to end the protracted dispute which has seen workers on picket lines for over 200 days.   We also fully support the demand of Mandate and the ICTU that legislation be implemented to give effect to the Duffy/Cahill report which could prevent other workers suffering a similar scenario in the future.  

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The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) notes the clarifications provided by the Department of Education today in relation to a HSE live Covid-19 Principal school line, dedicated HSE school teams, dedicated testing of close contacts from a school when there is a positive case and the definition of a close contact in an educational setting.   TUI has called for ongoing, robust engagement between unions, the Department and public health authorities to ensure that the concerns of teachers are fully addressed.    The Union has also reiterated its call for an audit of schools to ensure that they have the required resources to ensure full compliance with public health advice.    Speaking today, TUI General Secretary Michael Gillespie said:  

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After several enquiries from members, to the effect that the November examinations have been cancelled, the TUI contacted the State Examinations Commission(SEC) who have categorically refuted such an assertion. The SEC confirmed to the TUI that the Government has set out that the measures which came into effect, under Level 5 on the Government’s Plan for Living with COVID-19, on 21 October for 6 weeks, are being taken to protect national priorities and this includes keeping schools open.

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