Trainee teachers forced to fork out for materials

TEACHERS’ representatives have called for grant aid for students forced to pay hundreds of euro for classroom essentials during teaching practice.

A survey among Mary Immaculate College of Education’s 400 trainee primary school teachers has found almost half of them spend over €100 a week on stationery, photocopying, art supplies and other essential items for class.

Every student spends at least 16 weeks of training in schools, which makes up a significant portion of their final assessment.

While 55% of student teachers at the Limerick college spend between €50 and €100 each week on teaching practice, almost one-third spend €100 to €150 and 8% pay out €150 to €200. The study found 7% of student teachers spend over €200 a week on classroom equipment. Almost two-thirds of those questioned said they have to work part-time in their final year of college to cover their costs.

Student Muireann Sadlier said she has spent about €80 each week of her teaching practice.

“That comes from a weekly income of €170 which barely covers food and bills for myself and my three-year-old daughter, and I have a student loan,” she said. “But the spending is essential because school is so much about active learning, you have to provide activities to make it fun for younger children.”

The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) is demanding that the Department of Education provide grant aid for students during teaching practice.

“This survey shows that students believe they are in part likely to be assessed on their financial resources as much as their teaching ability,” said INTO general secretary John Carr.

A Department of Education spokesperson said: “There is no special financial assistance available towards costs associated with teaching practice but students eligible for higher education grants still get their entitlements while on teaching practice,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education has announced 32 primary and 11 secondary building projects will begin architectural planning immediately, allowing them appoint design teams for extensions or new buildings.