Second resignation at teacher training college

ANOTHER resignation has been handed in at the troubled teacher training college at Marino Institute of Education (MIE) in Dublin.

The notice was handed in this week by a lecturer in his early 60s who joined Coláiste Mhuire about five years ago after retiring from a primary teaching post.

He did not make any statement about his resignation but it is understood to be linked to ongoing unease among staff.

This follows last week’s statements about a consultants’ report for MIE’s trustees, the Christian Brothers. Another staff member handed in his resignation in the past week.

MIE interim director Pat Diggins repeated last night that the report found no evidence of systemic bullying or harassment and that there was no misuse of public funds at the institute.

“The governing body wish to acknowledge the professionalism and dedication of its staff during this difficult period,” Mr Diggins said.

But the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) has questioned statements about the report as long as it is not made available for examination.

“The continued refusal to publish the report will exacerbate problems and make solutions harder to find,” INTO general secretary John Carr said.

The Christian Brothers have insisted they are restricted from publishing the independent report for legal reasons linked to confidentiality and commercial sensitivities.

The claims of bad relations at Marino were made last May after details emerged of a six-figure settlement with former Coláiste Mhuire president Caoimhe Máirtín, who alleged there was a bullying campaign against her.

Consultants Farrell Grant Sparks did not interview Ms Máirtín but Mr Diggins said this week that details of her complaints were available to them from institute records.

He also rejected reports that recent resignations were connected with poor staff relations at the college.

He said any resignations at Coláiste Mhuire in recent months have been connected with career moves, with one person returning to teaching, another promoted by appointment to the Teaching Council and a part-time lecturer taking a permanent job elsewhere.

The governing body of MIE met on Thursday to consider the report’s recommendations about management structures.