The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) today held a lunchtime protest over cuts to the English for Speakers of other Languages Programme (ESOL) and adult literacy programmes in Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB). The protest took place outside GRETB's offices in Athenry.
It is important to note that the cuts are as a result of a reduction in budget to GRETB from SOLAS, the State agency that oversees the Further Education & Training (FET) sector in Ireland.
TUI is calling for immediate reversal of these unacceptable and shortsighted cuts, which will have a hugely negative impact for both learners and staff and have come as a complete shock to all affected.
These critical programmes support literacy, second chance learners and offer a vital service to those for whom English is not their first language.
For example, ESOL programme provides classes to those looking to learn English as a second or other language, a critical service to students and also those in the local economy seeking to employ workers in the sectors where they are most needed.
To make matters worse, some of the staff affected were approaching a point in time when they would have attained security in their employment through contracts of indefinite duration.
The TUI once again calls for urgent engagement on this matter.