Row over paid supervision scheme ‘threat to schools’

SCHOOLS might not be able to function if ongoing difficulties over a paid supervision scheme for teachers are not resolved, the vocational sector has warned.

The warning was made by the Irish Vocational Association as talks aimed at ending the withdrawal from supervision duties by members of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland failed yesterday.

The union is seeking clarification on the terms of a €1,400-a-year supervision and substitution deal which their 17,000 members accepted in a ballot last month.

But discussions with the Department of Education and school management representatives lasted only a few minutes yesterday morning.

The only business conducted was an outline of the position by department officials, who made clear it cannot be altered.

The Department of Education issued an invitation for further talks next Thursday to the ASTI, whose standing committee told members last week not to implement the scheme.

The body said operational details outlined last week by school managers were not what it understood their members had voted to accept.

Michael Moriarty, the general secretary of the IVEA, which represents VECs operating 248 second level schools, called on the ASTI to re-engage in negotiations.

“I am fearful that the scheme could be misinterpreted and distorted to such an extent that schools will not be able to function,” said Mr Moriarty.

“There is a real danger that the purpose of the scheme, namely to provide a service to schools and their pupils, will be forgotten,” he said.

However, ASTI president PJ Sheehy said he was hopeful the issues at question could be clarified and the matter resolved soon.

The stalemate will also bring the bill for thousands of non-teaching staff doing the work in ASTI members’ places closer to €30 million.

The cost of paying the specially trained workers has already reached €27 million since last March, when a contingency plan was introduced because of the ASTI dispute.

Labour Party education spokesperson Jan O’Sullivan urged both sides to return to talks and ensure the dispute is fully resolved before schools reopen in January.

“Most people had been under the impression that all of the major issues had been resolved.

“Given the efforts put into finding a resolution, it would now be a great disappointment to parents if this were to be put at risk over an issue of interpretation,” she said.