Non-permanent staff face greater risk of bullying

TEACHERS without permanent jobs face greater threats of bullying from students or colleagues because it’s harder for them to raise problems with management, a conference heard yesterday.

The issue arose during a debate at the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) convention, where delegates sought research on the issue to highlight the extent of bullying in schools.

Around 5,000 of the union’s 17,000 members do not have permanent positions, although many have secured contracts of indefinite duration (CID) in the past few years arising from ASTI negotiations with the Department of Education.

However, many still feel they will face greater trouble getting fully permanent jobs if they raise problems within the school.

A Dublin delegate spoke about the difficulties she faces from students and the impossibility of bringing it to the attention of the school board.

“I’m working in a disruptive school and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been threatened, my property has been threatened and three weeks ago some of my property was taken from me,” she said.

“It’s a constant threat to me and my colleagues, and I won’t disgust you with the name-calling that goes on. The motto of so many students appears to be ‘Shut up and put up,’” she said.

The delegate said she gets no support whatever from her principal or school management.

ASTI past president Sheila Parsons said that the situation is more difficult for young teachers and those without permanency.

“You have to keep your head under the parapet if you haven’t got a definite contract, particularly if older and more secure teachers don’t stand up,” she said.

“Bullying and harrassment of teachers, by teachers, students and management, ruins the lives of some members and it is endemic in our schools,” Ms Parsons said.

Dublin north west branch member Bernadine O’Sullivan, a candidate for this year’s Seanad elections, said questions also arise about vexatious allegations made against teachers and the lack of clarity about child protection guidelines for schools.

“I’m a firm believer that we should have protection for children but we also want protection for teachers and it’s definitely missing at the moment,” she said.