Cutbacks signal further increases in class sizes [INTO]
- Published: 30 March 2009
Source: INTO
The Executive of the INTO met today and unanimously condemned the government decision to cap teacher numbers and embargo promotion in primary schools.
Speaking after the meeting John Carr, General Secretary of the primary teachers' union, said the announcement, in the middle of social partnership talks, showed government's contempt for the talks. He said the decision should be withdrawn immediately. "Government has the option of tabling this proposal within the talks process if it wishes."
"Social partnership is a two way street," said Carr. "There cannot be the pretence of social partnership while one partner pursues a unilateral agenda."
He said the cap on numbers would probably mean even bigger classes in 2010 in primary schools. "There will be up to 10,000 additional pupils in schools next year without one extra teacher to teach them," said Carr. "Ireland's super-sized classes in primary schools could get even bigger."
The proposals are set to impact disproportionately on primary schools because of the larger pupil numbers.
Mr Carr said the moratorium on promotion would also have a real impact on schools. "There can't be a modernisation programme in schools if the personnel aren't there to deliver it," said Carr. "These are not peripheral or optional duties in schools. Teachers in these posts have real responsibilities for curriculum development and school planning, special education, the management of staff and pupils, ICT, the management of behaviour and home school links."
"If a modern school service is to be delivered to pupils and parents then these tasks are necessary," said Carr. "Over the years government has demanded new duties and responsibilities of schools. Now it unilaterally withdraws the mechanism for schools to deliver."
He described the proposal as a crude instrument and a slash and burn of management structures and responsibilities in schools that have taken years to build up.
The union said today that up to seven hundred such posts could be lost each year saving government somewhere between three and six million. "In overall terms this is a small sum of money," said Carr, "but the impact on schools will be significant especially as seventy percent of primary schools have a teaching principal".
The INTO has established a subcommittee of its executive to consider a work to rule in schools. A report from that subcommittee is expected next month.
