ASTI says pay must rise to attract teachers

Secondary teachers’ union ASTI today warned that teachers' pay needed significant upgrading if the profession is to remain attractive to young people.

The union says recent surveys on teacher recruitment show that second level schools are experiencing difficulties recruiting teachers in a number of subject areas.

ASTI General Secretary, Mr Charlie Lennon, said: "If left unchecked, teacher shortages could have a devastating impact on subject choice, quality of teaching and pupil performance".

"Teaching must compete with other occupations in attracting high calibre graduates each year.

"Teachers' unions have established that there is a substantial differential between the pay of teachers and other graduate-entry professions.

"Young people beginning a career in second level teaching need to feel their work is as valuable as the work of those in comparable professions," he said.

Mr Lennon said the Benchmarking Body had an opportunity to address problems with teachers' pay.