The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has congratulated Hildegarde Naughton, TD, on her appointment to the position of Minister for Education and Youth and outlined some of the key issues in the sector that need to be addressed.
TUI General Secretary Michael Gillespie said that the TUI ‘congratulates Minister Naughton on her appointment and we look forward to meeting with her. We will be stressing the need for significantly increased investment in all areas of the public education system.’
‘We will continue to make clear the requirement for full and meaningful consultation with the relevant unions in the development of any new education policies or on any matters affecting the terms and conditions of teachers.’
He set out some key issues that the TUI wants urgent engagement with the new minister on.
‘The recruitment and retention crisis must be addressed. While the accommodation emergency affects all of society and must be dealt with on a national basis, there are specific measures that would make a huge difference in the education sector. Contracts of full hours must be provided from initial appointment and teachers must have access to enhanced career structures. It must also be made easier for Irish teachers to return home from abroad and serious consideration must be given to halving the duration of the two-year PME required to teach at second level.’
‘The Department must ensure the timely provision of the required resources for Senior Cycle redevelopment including those set out in the package of support measures accepted in a ballot by TUI members last May.’
‘The most vulnerable students lose out when education isn’t properly funded, and this ultimately widens inequalities in society. The latest OECD statistics show that of the countries listed, none spends a lower proportion of national wealth on education than Ireland. This is resulting in large class sizes, over-stretched pastoral support systems for students and education facilities which are often unsuited to modern teaching and learning.’
‘The sharp increase in workload caused by bureaucratic and administrative demands is eroding personal time and resulting in needless meetings and a box-ticking culture. All of this is sapping morale and deflecting from the core duty of teaching. It is also contributing to the recruitment and retention crisis with many choosing to leave the profession for other employments.’
‘Overall, if our education system is to be successful and if the needs of students are to be properly met, teaching jobs must be attractive career options and have manageable workloads in a properly resourced education system.’