Stop regarding parents as the enemyParents are potentially the best ally teachers have. The vast majority hugely appreciate the work of teachers. But the ASTI dispute has left a sour taste.Teacher unions, especially ASTI, urgently need to build bridges.
They should speak out on the issues that concern parents. They should be pro-active about rooting out bad teachers. They should be pro-active about higher standards. They should be vocal about the real needs of children. They should be as concerned as parents about the erosion of class contact time because of in-service training etc. They should not just talk about their pay.
Open up the classroom for inspection
Primary and vocational teachers are routinely inspected, but inspection at second-level is rare. The ASTI won't let inspectors into the classroom without the prior approval of teachers. Good teachers need and deserve affirmation. Equally, bad teachers need to be rooted out for their own sake, for the sake of the children and for the continued good health of the school.
Speak out on disadvantage
The Irish education system is generally fine for about 80 per cent of students, but the others are often left behind. The level of support for students with learning difficulties and from disadvantaged homes is still grossly inadequate.
The INTO is very good on issues like these, but the second-level teaching unions rarely make a fuss. They should convey the real frustration that is out there in staffrooms and classrooms throughout the country.
Make a real effort to get ordinary teachers involved in the unions
The problems of the past three years surfaced because a relatively small group were allowed to set the agenda. With only a handful bothering to attend branch meetings, it is very easy for certain groups to exert an undue influence. All three teaching unions must urgently examine how best to get the ordinary teachers involved. The unions are the public face of over 40,000 teachers, they should be fully representative.
Stop being so defensive. Offer to do more work for more money
Teachers are rightly fed up with the jibes about the short days and long holidays. Schooldays are actually very long for the vast majority of outstanding teachers, who prepare classes and correct homework. Thousands of others organise sporting and cultural activities in their own time without payment. But the long holidays and the days off are a problem. Teachers should build some goodwill by offering to do all in-service work and oral exams during a week in June or August - provided they are paid for it.
