Provision for pregnant teachers to work remotely should be continued – TUI

By piofficer, Friday, 2nd April 2021 | 0 comments

The findings of a new Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) survey of almost 400 lecturing staff have identified a significant increase in workload as a result of the move to emergency remote lecturing. The survey also outlined the health concerns of members in the context of COVID-19 and the effects of pay discrimination on the morale of staff.   

Among its 20,000 members, TUI represents 4,000 academic staff in Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities.  The Union’s Annual Congress takes place next week. 

Speaking today, TUI President Martin Marjoram said:  

Third level funding crisis has not disappeared   
‘Before ever the challenges of the current pandemic arose, the legacy of an era of cutbacks had a severely damaging effect on the educational experience of students and the working conditions of academic staff.  In recent years, the time that staff can provide to students had come under immense pressure, with significantly less opportunity available to interact with students individually or in smaller groups. Clearly, in such a situation, it is those students who require the most additional support who lose out, and this obviously has an effect on worrying trends such as drop-out rates.’   

‘With a significant projected increase in student numbers at third level, urgent action must be taken to finally address the funding crisis in the higher education sector. In this regard, we are warning once again that in the move by consortia of institutes towards technological university status, significant additional funding must be provided. Regrettably, we are yet to be convinced that this fundamental necessity is understood by Government.’   

‘Meanwhile, COVID-19 has added significant challenges to the working lives of academic staff, who have continued to provide a first-class service to students in conditions that would have been barely imaginable in even the recent past.’   

Additional workload as a result of move to emergency remote learning  

‘Our survey of lecturing staff shows that as a result of the move to emergency remote teaching due to COVID-19, 92% of lecturers found that the preparation, provision and associated work involved took much more time (62%) or more time (30%) than face-to-face delivery. Protecting the integrity of assessment and protecting against plagiarism in an era of remote learning have also become more time-consuming and more challenging.’  

‘In terms of time spent in preparing, implementing and processing the assessment of students now compared to 12 months ago, 92% found that it took much more time (60%) or more time (32%). In terms of job difficulty now compared to 12 months ago, 85% said their job was significantly more difficult (44%) or somewhat more difficult (41%), while 11% said it was of similar difficulty.’   

Issues around IT facilities – disadvantage also an issue at third level   

‘There are also issues around IT facilities, broadband, and relevant training to facilitate emergency remote learning.’   

‘42% were satisfied that students have the required IT facilities (not including broadband) to participate in remote learning, while worryingly, 41% did not believe that students had the required IT facilities. In this regard, we believe it is important to highlight that educational disadvantage does not cease after post-primary, and provision must be made available to provide a level playing field to all students.’   

‘70% believe that broadband of a sufficient quality is available in the region of their workplace to facilitate emergency remote teaching and learning, while 23% do not believe that it is available in their region.’   

‘53% of lecturers believe that they have received the relevant training to facilitate emergency remote learning, while 39% believe that they have not.’   

COVID-19 – Health related issues   

‘Our members at third level identified serious health concerns in relation to the pandemic. 25% have an underlying health issue that is of concern in terms of COVID-19, while 24% live with somebody who has underlying medical issues that makes them vulnerable to COVID-19. Meanwhile, 8% live with somebody who is over 70 years of age. 29% stated that they have considered leaving the profession or retiring early as a result of COVID-19.’  

Blight of pay discrimination must be removed from workplaces   

‘64% believe that the two-tier system of pay which puts Assistant Lecturers appointed since 2011 on a lesser pay scale has damaged morale among staff, while 69% believe that the refusal to award incremental credit to appointees for a period of years after 2011 has damaged morale. 20,000 TUI members took strike action over pay discrimination in February 2020 and our campaign will continue until this blight has been removed from our workplaces.’   

The survey of 382 third level lecturers was carried out in February and March of this year.   

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