Dempsey still to decide on teacher unions’ conference attendance

EDUCATION Minister Noel Dempsey has yet to decide whether he will attend the three teacher union conferences at Easter.

He drew an angry response from teachers last month when he proposed a discussion with delegates about the education system. Mr Dempsey suggested it might be more useful than the traditional format of speeches by himself and union presidents.

The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) wrote to Mr Dempsey last week, telling him they could not change the format of their annual convention. However, they said their invite to him to address delegates in Killarney on April 14 still stands.

An ASTI spokesperson said they have not yet received a response.

It is understood the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) has sent a similar letter to Mr Dempsey.

The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) is likely to respond to Mr Dempsey after its standing orders committee, which sets the agenda for its annual congress, meets on March 19. However, delegates could reject the idea when the agenda is voted upon on congress opening night in Tralee on April 13.

A spokesperson for Mr Dempsey said he was waiting to hear from the three unions before deciding whether he will attend.

The discussion proposed by Mr Dempsey is linked to the Your Education System (YES) consultation process he began last month to inform education policy over the next decade. A series of 18 nationwide meetings concludes this month, where the public have been invited to air their views on possible changes.

Meanwhile, a PD Senator has called for action to redress falling interest in computer and engineering college courses.

Education spokesperson John Minihan said CAO figures this week showing a drop in demand have serious implications for Ireland’s future economic competitiveness.

“There is a perception problem when it comes to computing, with students shying away from IT courses because of a perceived shortage of jobs. If this fall-off continues, Ireland will be a left with a serious skills shortage,” he said.