Job cuts hurting school services

Schools will have lost an average of five middle management teaching posts by the start of the next academic year, a survey carried out on behalf of the Teachers Union of Ireland has found.

The survey, carried out among 283 TUI members last month, found that the cutbacks which began in 2008 have had a huge impact on schools particularly those in disadvantaged areas and those catering for marginalised students.

According to the study, which was carried out by Behaviour and Attitudes, schools have lost an average of over four posts of responsibility as a result of cutbacks to date with an expectation that of a further loss of an average of 1.2 posts this year.

TUI president Bernie Ruane said that the survey showed that cutbacks, particularly those resulting in the loss of posts of responsibility such as year heads, had severely damaged the support framework so important for marginalised schools.

"This is making it increasingly difficult to intervene early and effectively when students are experiencing difficulties, a problem that will be greatly worsened when cuts to guidance counselling provision becomes effective in September," she said.

Of the 141 schools, colleges and centres surveyed, 61 per cent reported a loss of teachers based on pupil teacher ratio between 2008 and 2011 and 47 per cent of these reported a loss of two or fewer while 53 per cent reported a loss of two or more such posts.

Approximately, 20 schools and colleges reported the loss of learning support/ resource, traveller resource and language support posts between 2008 and 2011 with the majority losing up to one such post, the survey found.
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The survey also found that some 62 per cent of schools reported an increased workload for staff with 33 per cent of respondents estimating workload had increased by more than seven hours over and above the additional commitments of the Croke Park Agreement.

Ms Ruane pointed out that the survey also found that teachers were noticing that reduced family income due to the recession and government cutbacks was having an adverse impact on the capacity of students to participate in school life.

"Worryingly, a majority, 59 per cent, of teachers who responded to the survey have noted the significant impact that a reduction in family incomes has had on the ability of students to purchase textbooks and specialist materials for schools," she said.