TUI conference: The Minister was told his Department was 'dumping on' teachers, writes Alison Healy in Ennis
The Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, was criticised by the TUI yesterday for putting forward a vision for education while not providing the resources to implement it. He was also urged to avoid the "regressive" reintroduction of third-level fees.
Mr Dempsey told the TUI congress in Ennis that schools and institutions must be reshaped to meet the individual needs of students. Institutes of technology must constantly improve, he said, and teachers must be willing to meet "the challenge of change".
The TUI president, Mr Derek Dunne, said the Minister had spoken about vision, yet his Department was "dumping on" teachers and failing to provide the necessary resources to run their programmes.
Mr Dunne said teachers had delivered in the past and would deliver in the future. "but we are not going to be dumped on and we are not going to do it without the tools and resources. We are not going to have the experiences of the past foisted on us again."
Budget cutbacks at third-level institutes would have "huge implications" in terms of course delivery and the employment of teachers. "And Minister, we are going to oppose that tooth and nail. We are not going to let this happen."
Further education was the Cinderella of the education system and was being grossly neglected by the Department of Education, the TUI president said. He also reminded the Minister that 400 jobs had been promised for disadvantaged students, under the national wage agreement.
"The jobs are missing, Minister. We want them and we want them put into our schools immediately."
Mr Dunne said the reintroduction of third level fees would be "extremely regressive and anti-social". "It's anti-rural and I think it would be a huge mistake." The PAYE sector was being targeted by this move, he said, to loud applause.
"You did a fine job, Minister, in ridding the country of plastic bags and we compliment you very much for that. I would say to you, Minister, let that be your legacy. Don't be known for ridding us of free fees at third level."
In his address to TUI delegates, Mr Dempsey expressed concern about the lack of recruitment of teachers from minority groups, immigrant groups, disadvantaged communities and Travellers.
He said he was also concerned about teacher shortages and the high turnover of teachers in schools in disadvantaged areas. He also highlighted the under-performance of some teachers as an area for concern.
Mr Dempsey said he was starting a process of consultation with all partners in education which would address issues such as discipline and the professional development of teachers, in "an atmosphere of mutual respect and partnership".
Afterwards, Mr Dempsey rejected Mr Dunne's criticism about the lack of funding and said the level of resources given to education had doubled in the past six years.
He was "quite happy" at the reception he had received from the three teacher conferences.
It was inevitable that unions were "always going to have a go" and look for more for their members, Mr Dempsey said.