The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has welcomed the Tánaiste’s comments today in relation to the halving of the Professional Master of Education (PME). The TUI has consistently called for this measure as teaching is becoming a profession that is unaffordable to many.
Speaking today, TUI President David Waters said:
‘We welcome the comments made by the Tánaiste and we hope that it signals that the Government might finally be taking the teacher recruitment and retention crisis seriously. The TUI has been consistently calling for a reduction in the PME to one year as we believe that the profession has become an unaffordable one to many.’
‘However, this measure alone will not tackle the current crisis. In addition, this year’s Budget needs to provide the required resources so that schools can offer jobs of full hours upon initial appointment, while posts of responsibility must be restored to pre-austerity levels.’
‘A survey of teachers carried out by TUI earlier this year showed that of those recently appointed, less than a third of teachers (31%) appointed received a full-time contract, and just over one in ten teachers (13%) were offered permanent positions. This culture of precarious work is driving both potential and serving teachers away from the profession.’
‘We also welcome the Tánaiste’s comments in relation to restoring other allowances that were previously cut but not restored.’