New disciplinary code urged for underperforming teachers
Under rules in place for 40 years, it takes up to 18 months to reach the point at which a school board can dismiss a teacher.
Catholic Primary School Managers Association (CPSMA) general secretary Fr Dan O’Connor said: “If it’s a matter of professional competence, the school board must bring it to the local inspector’s attention but the process is lengthened if a teacher appeals to the divisional inspector,” he said.
The 1965 rules for national schools state that the board can call in the inspector if a staff member is given three unsatisfactory reports in a year. The teacher must then be given six months’ notice of a further inspection.
The ultimate sanction is that the Department of Education may withdraw recognition from the teacher, effectively removing them from the payroll.
A department spokesperson said only one or two teachers have had recognition withdrawn for under- performance in the last decade. However, a number of teachers under scrutiny take early retirement each year rather than having their salary withdrawn.
Irish National Teachers’ Organisation general secretary John Carr said fitness to practice procedures have been placed under the control of the Teaching Council, which will draw up a code of practice for the profession when it is established next year.
“Professional evaluation is essential but it’s important to appreciate that the majority of primary teachers do a magnificent job, often under difficult circumstances,” he said.
