The findings of a new survey of over 1,300 Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) members highlight a range of issues related to the teacher recruitment and retention crisis and bureaucratic overload. A key finding shows that just 31% of respondents received a contract of full hours upon initial appointment.
The survey findings show significant involvement in extracurricular activities outside of school hours despite the increasing bureaucratic duties and administrative burdens in schools.
The Union is calling for full-time jobs upon initial appointment and more career opportunities for teachers.
The TUI’s Annual Congress will be attended by 500 delegates and guests in the Silver Springs Hotel in Cork this week. The online survey of 1,302 TUI members was carried out last month. Full findings at end of statement.
Comments below from TUI President Liz Farrell
Tackling the teacher recruitment crisis
‘Overall, the findings make clear the absolute need for full-time work with a full salary upon initial appointment and more promotional opportunities if teacher shortages are to be tackled.’
‘At a time when schools are struggling to put teachers in front of classes, it is of grave concern that just 31% of survey respondents appointed after 1st January 2011 received a full-time appointment upon initial appointment. Of those appointed after this date, just 13% were offered a permanent position upon initial appointment, while it took a third of respondents more than three years to secure a contract of full hours receiving full pay.’
‘This is unsustainable if we are to continue to have teachers in front of classes in the months and years ahead, particularly in the context a cost-of-living crisis. As highly qualified graduates, teachers must be provided with secure jobs on full hours if they are to choose the profession. This is also required if we want to bring home our teachers from other jurisdictions.’
Teacher retention also a major problem
‘Real promotional opportunities must also be made available if the profession is to be seen as a viable career by graduates. Posts of responsibility, which ensure the smooth running of schools while also providing pastoral support for students, were cut severely in the last recession. These posts have never been fully restored to previous levels, which means that a generation of teachers has not had access to the same career opportunities as their longer-serving colleagues.'
'68% of respondents - who know the daily reality of schools - do not believe that there are enough Assistant Principal posts to meet the educational and pastoral needs of their school community, while only 18% disagreed with a statement that they would be more likely to remain in the profession if more Assistant Principal posts became available in their schools.'
'To put this deficit in pastoral care provision into even sharper focus, 93% believe the range of challenges faced by students has increased in the last five years. '
'Greatly reduced pension benefits are also of real concern. Of those who entered the profession after 1st January 2013, 76% believe that the career average pension scheme which applied after this date is a further deterrent to their retention within the profession. Meanwhile, of this group, 73% agreed that enhancement of their pension entitlements would make it more likely that they would remain in the profession.’
Reclaiming the profession from bureaucracy
‘The deflection from teaching and learning due to bureaucratic demands continues to be a source of serious frustration, with 91% agreeing that bureaucratic duties deflect from their core role of teaching, while 92% agree that bureaucratic duties that deflect from teaching have increased since they commenced their career. 65% said that they would consider leaving the profession early due to increasing workload and bureaucratic duties. Teachers must be allowed to teach and not be worn down by excessive box-ticking and bureaucratic duties.’
Huge involvement in extracurricular activities
‘Despite the above, teachers continue to make significant contributions to their school communities on a voluntary basis, with 53% involved in extracurricular activities in their school outside of timetabled hours, such as sports, drama, music, debating etc. 45% spent up to two hours per week, 43% spent between two and four hours with 12% spending more than four hours per week on these activities.’
Housing emergency
‘It comes as no surprise that of those renting, 98% said it would be very difficult (84%) or somewhat difficult (14%) to secure new accommodation in their locality, while 75% believe the housing emergency has had an adverse effect on the lives of students in their school or centre.’
Key findings of TUI survey of members in the Post Primary and Further Education sectors. Survey was online and there were 1,302 responses. Some questions were only applicable to certain cohorts, such as those appointed after 1st January 2011 or after 1st January 2013.
Tackling the teacher recruitment crisis
- Of those employed after 1st January 2011, just 31% received a contract of full hours, with just 13% offered a permanent position upon initial appointment.
- Of those who didn’t receive a contract of full hours, it took 33% more than three years to secure one
Tackling the teacher retention crisis
- 68% do not believe that there are enough Assistant Principal posts to meet the educational and pastoral needs of their school community
- 65% believe that Assistant Principal posts are primarily concerned with administration and bureaucratic responsibilities rather than serving students adequately
- 93% believe the range of challenges faced by young people had increased in the last five years
- 40% do not believe they will be in the profession in 10 years’ time
- 42% agree with a statement that if more Assistant Principal positions became available in their school, they would be more likely to remain in the profession because of the potential for further career progression. 18% disagreed and 40% neither agreed nor disagreed.
- Of those who entered the profession after 1st January 2013, 76% believe that the Career Average Pension Scheme which applied after this date is a further deterrent to the retention of teachers. 21% didn’t know and 3% said ‘no’.
- Meanwhile, of this group (post-2013 entrants), 73% agreed that enhancement of their pension entitlements would make it more likely that they would remain in the profession, with 23% neither agreeing nor disagreeing and 3% disagreeing.
Reclaiming the profession from bureaucracy, huge involvement in extracurricular activities
- 91% agree strongly (66%) or slightly (25%) that bureaucratic duties deflect from their core role of teaching
- 92% agree strongly (81%) or slightly (11%) that bureaucratic duties that deflect from teaching have increased since they commenced their career
- 53% are involved in extracurricular activities in their school outside of timetabled hours, such as sports, drama, music, debating etc with 45% spending up to two hours per week, 43% spending between two and four hours and 12% spending more than four hours per week
- 65% said that they would consider leaving the profession early due to increasing workload and bureaucratic duties
Housing emergency
- Of those renting, 98% said it would be very difficult (84% ) or somewhat difficult (14%) to secure new accommodation in the locality
- 75% believe the housing emergency has had an adverse effect on the lives of students in their school/college