Hundreds of teachers ‘still temporary after five years’
There are more than 3,000 non-permanent teachers in the country's 750 second-level schools, most of them represented by the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI).
Research published by the union over the weekend revealed almost one-fifth of them have been in their current school for at least five years, indicating around 600 people are in this position. The survey which was answered by more than 1,000 teachers found that 3% almost 100 of all non-permanent staff have been teaching in the same school for more than a decade.
Most teachers who are seeking a permanent job have graduated in the last few years, with just over half of those questioned in their current school two years or less.
But nearly one-in-five non-permanent teachers are aged 35 or older, making their job insecurity even more influential on life decisions.
ASTI general secretary Charlie Lennon said: "There are many people who leave teaching for other jobs every year because they can't secure a permanent position.
"We have been seeking permanency for a long time for any teacher in a school for five years but recent law changes should hopefully make that more possible."
The recently passed Protection of Employees (Fixed Term Work) Act means employers can no longer continue giving workers short-term contracts. It is expected that this could give teachers a better chance of being made permanent faster after a few years in a school.
While the non-permanent position suited one-in-eight of those surveyed, the vast majority found the situation unsatisfactory. The most common disadvantages they cited were an inadequate salary, lack of access to promotional posts, lack of opportunity to develop relationships with students and often being allocated poorly-behaved classes.
The survey gives the first comprehensive profile of part-time teachers and was launched at an ASTI seminar on new pay arrangements which Mr Lennon said will result in significant improvements. Some rates for part-time teaching will increase from €27 to €45 an hour, making the profession more attractive.
The widening gender gap in teaching is also highlighted by the survey, showing that 80% of recent graduates are women, even though they traditionally make up around two-thirds of second level teachers.
An OECD report published last week highlighted the need to improve the image of teaching, particularly to men, as a measure to address teacher shortages at primary level.
Education Minister Noel Dempsey is forming a working group to examine the gender imbalance and try to attract more males into the profession.
