Latest news with #TEACHERS'UNIONofIreland
The Journal
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Union says teachers returning from countries like Abu Dhabi shouldn't be on basic pay
THE TEACHERS' UNION of Ireland (TUI) has said that teachers returning home from working abroad in countries like Abu Dhabi outside of the EU shouldn't have to start back on the first point of the salary scale, and should instead be offered wages that reflect their experience. TUI called for the measure to be brought in as part of a suite of recommended actions it wants to see from the Department of Education after a survey carried out by the union found that just one in four teachers appointed since 2015 landed full time work in their first job. The survey found that just 11% of respondents were offered a permanent position on appointment. The Union has said that the continuing teacher recruitment and retention crisis Anthony Quinn, TUI President, said that it is 'utterly unacceptable' that so few teachers are able to get full time work. 'This is a significant problem at second level, where those commencing are forced to survive on mere fractions of jobs and often have to be subsidised by family, if they are fortunate enough to have this support,' Quinn further said. TUI said that the measures announced by the Department of Education to address the shortage of teachers ahead of the coming academic year have been 'cosmetic' and have 'fallen short of what is required'. Quinn said that it appears the Department is trying to 'ride out' the staffin crisis until 'demographics change and student numbers at second level fall'. Advertisement He said that this approach will deny a generation of students the educational experience they are entitled to. TUI is now calling for greater teaching allocations to allow more full-time permanent jobs from initial appointment. The union also wants to see more promotions to posts of responsibility offered to teachers, to see the duration of the two-year Professional Master of Education course halved, and the reinstatement of allowances to teachers with a SEN qualification and to those who teach in Irish. In June of this year Education Minister Norma Foley announced the extension of teacher supply measures that help schools to access additional teaching and substitute hours. 'The Teaching Hours Extension Scheme provides post-primary schools with an alternative means of sourcing appropriately-qualified substitute teaching cover to support teaching and learning in schools. Teachers on full teaching contracts of 22 hours can provide additional substitution cover, of up to 35 additional hours, for each term designated under the scheme,' her department said in a press release on the matter at the time. Foley said that she is committed to tackling 'teacher supply challenges'. She said that the supply measures that were extended didn't present a 'long-term' solution, but added that they will help schools to access 'qualified teaching for the students in their schools'. If your child's subject options have been limited by staffing shortages and you want to speak about the matter get in touch with The Journal: eimermcauley@ Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Teaching union urges members to back Leaving Cert reform amid potential industrial action
THE TEACHERS' UNION of Ireland (TUI) has advised its members to accept a newly proposed support package following discussions between unions and education minister Helen McEntee. Both the TUI and the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) are to now put McEntee's latest proposals on senior cycle reform to a vote of their members. The proposed reforms aim to broaden assessment methods by allocating a minimum of 40% of marks to project work or practicals across all subjects. This shift is intended to ease pressure on students and provide a more comprehensive evaluation of their skills. Both unions had previously expressed concerns over the reforms, saying that the change risks undermining the 'entire assessment process' . The TUI's executive convened this evening to discuss the support package, while the ASTI is expected to deliberate on whether to recommend acceptance of the package on Friday or Saturday. Both unions are scheduled to conduct ballots on the reforms before the end of the current school year. Should the package not be accepted, union members are prepared to initiate a campaign of industrial action, which may include strike action, in the upcoming academic year. Advertisement The proposals include a reallocation of Croke Park hours, permitting teachers to dedicate 14 hours of their own time to support the new reforms. They would also include: A 3% local bargaining pay increase, as stipulated in the public sector pay agreement, contingent upon cooperation with the reforms Increased funding for school laboratories to assist project work in subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology, and agricultural science Creation of specific posts of responsibility to oversee the implementation of the new senior cycle changes Provision of clearer guidelines for teachers to address concerns regarding the authentication of students' project work, especially in light of the rapid development of new artificial intelligence tools Confirmation of a reduced qualifying period of one year for teachers to attain permanency through a contract of indefinite duration In a statement following the talks, Minister for Education Helen McEntee asserted that the reforms are 'in the best interest of students.' She said that the changes aim to reduce student pressure by recognising a broader range of skills and ensuring students possess the necessary competencies to succeed in a 'rapidly changing world'. 'Not only will these supports help teachers and schools to implement Senior Cycle Redevelopment, they will ultimately ensure that students across the country reap the benefits of a revised Senior Cycle,' McEntee said. 'This agreement provides a number of important supports to teachers, students and schools to ensure the successful implementation of Senior Cycle Redevelopment. 'I look forward to continuing close collaboration with the ASTI and TUI, indeed with all representative bodies, as we work together to strengthen and support Senior Cycle Redevelopment.' The unions' recommendation to accept the support package marks a significant development in the ongoing discussions surrounding the Leaving Cert reforms. In a separate ballot, the TUI will seek that in the event of the negotiated document not being accepted, members vote to engage in a campaign of industrial action, up to and including strike action. In a statement this evening, the Irish Secondary Students Union (ISSU) also backed McEntee's decision to continue with the introduction of Senior Cycle Redevelopment. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
