Cut of 250 language support teachers [IrishTimes]
- Published: 21 May 2011
SCHOOLS ARE set to lose 250 language support teachers under new cutbacks indicated by the Department of Education last night.
The move will affect teaching support for immigrant children, many of them struggling to cope with only meagre English languages skills.
Most of the reduction will be at primary level as abourt 80 per cent of the language posts are in primary schools.
The surprise move – endorsed by Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn – has already drawn a strong response; the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) described it as an “attack on disadvantaged and marginalised children’’.
The Department of Education says it has had to make the “difficult decision’’ to cut the number of language support teachers in order to meet the needs of the rising numbers of students remaining in education.
The number of job losses next September is double the number envisaged by the last government, who planned a phased reduction of 500 language support teachers over four years – 125 per year.
Last night a Department of Education spokesperson said it was “necessary to speed up this process’’. The department says it needs to “free up” teaching posts to cater for the increase in the numbers of students staying in the education system as a whole.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
