U-turn fails to satisfy teachers as 40,000 get set to march
- Published: 06 December 2008
Source : Irish Examiner
By Jennifer Hough
DESPITE his U-turn on supervision cover this week, Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe continued to come under fire from teachers and unions ahead of today's mammoth Dublin protest.
Mr O'Keeffe's pledge to make €2.7 million available for secondary school substitute teachers has done nothing to quell anger among teachers and parents, 40,000 of whom are expected to march to Merrion Square for an emotive rally.
Mr O'Keeffe announced the deal with school managers to provide funding for teachers until the end of the school year on Thursday, but added there would be a full review of the substitution and supervision scheme in that period.
While Mr O'Keeffe said he would be open to similar suggestions for a way forward with the primary school sector, general secretary of Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) John Carr said there had been no engagement with the union.
Mr Carr accused Mr O'Keeffe of spinning the story and said comments made by the minister effectively accusing 12,500 teachers of "pulling sickies" were inaccurate and damaging.
"It is on the record at Leinster House that 12,500 teachers are 'taking sickies' on Mondays and Fridays.
"This is completely inaccurate," said Mr Carr.
Fine Gael education spokesman Brian Hayes said although Mr O'Keeffe had admitted he was wrong in this regard, it should be backed up by an apology.
"Batt O'Keeffe's scare-mongering and his misleading statements are insulting to teachers, children and their parents.
"He should get his facts right and focus on children and the effects cutbacks are having on the quality of their education," he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Carr said the issue of substitute teachers was far more complex at primary level.
"The primary sector is different as we don't have teachers with free periods, and will have to split classes or send children home," he said.
"This causes disruption and children with special needs cannot be cared for properly under these circumstances."
Mr Carr warned Mr O'Keeffe's deal was "too little too late" and there were many other issues which needed be addressed such as class sizes and newcomer children.
Mr O'Keeffe said he felt strongly that there was a more efficient way of operating supervision systems, and was encouraged that management bodies had said they can make an immediate saving of €16m.
Today's march is organised by the INTO, the Teachers Union of Ireland, the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland and the Irish Federation of University Teachers.
Protesters will assemble on the north side of Parnell Square from noon, moving to Merrion Square at 1pm for a rally.
