Talkback

Education cuts are ill-advised, argues PETER MACMENAMIN

TEACHERS AND lecturers care passionately about their profession and the students they teach every day. Their lobbying actions and willingness to participate in innumerable protests in often inclement weather were regarded as key in forcing the crucial education concessions that formed such a major part of the revised Programme for Government last winter.

However, as a profession, they now feel demoralised, angry and disenfranchised. Some 1,200 teachers have lost their jobs at second level alone as a result of the education cutbacks. Pay has been slashed by 20 per cent when the pension levy, pay cut and non-payment of an agreed increase are factored in. Teachers not on full hours are struggling to meet modest financial commitments as a result of a cut in hours and pay, and I need not elaborate on their level of fury at the colossal sums of money still being spent to bail out the banking sector while their sector has suffered vicious and swingeing cutbacks.

Promotional opportunities have been eliminated by a block on appointments, while a marked increase in disruption problems as a result of a rapidly changing social climate means teachers are working harder than ever. There is also considerable anger at the hostile attitude towards the public service espoused by some media outlets and commentators in a sustained and villainous campaign, ably assisted by Government spin doctors paid for by the public purse.

In a week when teachers sacrifice school holidays to debate on conditions of service and education issues, it is appropriate to address some of these myths.

There is an assumption that every teacher is permanent, on full hours and insulated from the current recession. This could not be further from the truth. Just a quarter of teachers under 30 in Ireland are permanently employed. Many are considering teaching options in other countries, and this will inevitably lead to a brain drain of some of the best young teaching talent from the country.

According to the latest OECD figures, there is a significantly higher proportion of teachers of all ages not permanent in Ireland compared with other countries. Just 73 per cent of second-level teachers here are in permanent employment, with the percentage in the vocational sector even lower at 68.2 per cent. The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) is particularly concerned by this as it implies that it is more difficult to obtain a permanent contract in a vocational school.

This compares poorly with ratios in other OECD countries: 90 per cent of teachers in Austria and Norway are permanent, and 97 per cent in Denmark. The Irish percentage looks certain to fall further, as there will be less chance of permanency as a result of changes to teacher staffing ratios. In addition, there are fewer opportunities for extra tuition hours due to cuts in substitution provision to schools.

We estimate that it takes 10 years for a teacher starting out to secure a permanent contract, and this more often than not on less than full hours. Up to this, they are on an hourly rate or employed on short fixed-term contracts with no guarantee of a renewal.

If a part-time teacher is earning €25,000, the net gain to the exchequer if they were to lose their contract could be as little as €5,000 per annum when social welfare payments and loss of taxation income are taken into consideration. More teachers means smaller class groups and a greater range of subject choices. Everybody suffers if a teacher loses their post. Education cuts remain economic and social lunacy. There is, however, an appreciation from the most important stakeholders. Teachers can take solace from a recent Teaching Council survey that shows that three in every four parents believe that teachers do their jobs either very well or well.

Like other ordinary public- and private-sector workers, teachers are not responsible for the current economic quandary the country finds itself in. The motions debated at the teacher conferences this week should leave the Government in no doubt as to the depth of feeling of teachers and lecturers in this country. They would do very well to pay close attention.

Peter MacMenamin is general secretary of the TUI