Teachers voice concerns on job security

MORE than 3,000 secondary school teachers have no job security and some have been in that situation for up to 15 years, a conference heard yesterday.

The leadership of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland was criticised by members over the lack of progress on the issue of non-permanent teachers.

The union’s annual convention directed officials to negotiate with the Department of Education for permanent posts for all teachers who have taught full-time for five years.

Kilkenny delegate Martin O’Neill said he has been one of seven temporary teachers at his school for over two years.

“We don’t know if we’ll be there next year but we were assured 18 months ago all this would be dealt with and nothing has happened.”

The issue has been a bone of contention for a number of years, with thousands of teachers unsure for many months of the year whether they will have a job after the summer holidays.

Only 6% of teaching graduates are likely to get a permanent job in their first year out of college, according to ASTI deputy general secretary John White. Most part-time teachers are filling posts for staff on career breaks, maternity leave or job-sharing.

Education Minister Noel Dempsey has said a possible easing of the situation could be found by creating permanent posts for teachers on a shared basis between neighbouring schools.

Cork North delegate Máire Ní Chíarba said it was unacceptable that 3,270 of the union’s 17,000 members were non-permanent.

“Even full-time teachers find it difficult to make life choices like taking out a mortgage or deciding to have a family, it’s a lot worse for those who have no job security,” she said.