Press Releases

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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Findings of a new survey of over 1,500 Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) members in the Post Primary and Further/Adult Education sectors highlight a range of concerns around health issues, resources in schools and increased workload.  

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Comments from TUI President Martin Marjoram: 

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The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) notes the move to Level 4 restrictions for counties Monaghan, Cavan and Donegal and has called for an audit of schools to ensure that they have the required resources to ensure full compliance with public health advice.     TUI President Martin Marjoram offered the following comment in relation to schools:     Audit of schools required      “It cannot be overstated that the risk posed by the pandemic is a daily source of extreme stress and anxiety to our members, many of whom have serious underlying health issues themselves or else share a household with a person or people with underlying health issues.  

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Initial Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) response to Budget 2021 – comments from TUI General Secretary Michael Gillespie.

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In advance of next week’s Budget, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has said that there must be ongoing flexibility in terms of the funding available for the education system, as every resource required to ensure the health and safety of educators and students must be made available in the months ahead.  

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The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) is seeking urgent engagement with the Department of Education and Skills and the Government on any national move a higher level of Covid-19 restrictions.  

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Speaking today in relation to coding errors in the Calculated Grades system, Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) General Secretary Michael Gillespie gave the following comments:   

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Comments from TUI General Secretary Michael Gillespie:

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While the clear preference of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) was always that the written Leaving Certificate examinations would proceed, the Union recognised that this was not possible due to the public health emergency.

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The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has called for teachers and other school staff to have guaranteed access to a test on the day that they first experience possible COVID-19 symptoms, with an additional guarantee of a test result within 24 hours.

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The latest set of OECD indicators – Education At A Glance 2020 – highlight the continuing failure to appropriately fund education in Ireland while endorsing the work of Irish educators.

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The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has congratulated Leaving Certificate students receiving their Calculated Grades today, praising them for their patience and perseverance during an extremely difficult period and wishing them the very best for the future. 

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While the clear preference of the TUI was always that the written examinations would proceed, the Union recognised that this was not possible due to the public health emergency and members engaged with the Calculated Grades system so that our students would have a mechanism to progress to the next phase of their lives. From the earliest stages of its engagements with the other stakeholders on the Calculated Grades process, the TUI demanded and got an assurance from the Department that the system would not involve school profiling and that the level of achievement of every student, irrespective of their school or of socioeconomic background, would be fairly reflected in the Calculated Grades they secure. We note the Minister’s announcement on these and related matters today and we trust that no student will be disadvantaged by the Calculated Grades process or by circumstances outside their control. It is important to state once again that implementation of these measures on an emergency basis will not and cannot be regarded as a precedent. In addition, we welcome the provision of 1,250 additional CAO places in Higher Education Institutions, including Institutes of Technology. in Higher Education Institutions, including Institutes of Technology.

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