Clarity needed in teacher sanctions

THE latest proposals on sanctions for teachers whose work is less than satisfactory must be introduced soon to provide clarity for school managers and teachers, the Labour Party said yesterday.

The Department of Education has put forward plans for discussion with teacher unions and school management bodies, which are believed to include a school term as the timeframe in which issues should normally be dealt with by the school principal or board of management.

But they also suggest new disciplinary procedures where problems persist or where a teacher is found guilty of misconduct or poses a threat to student health and safety. These would involve a nominee of the department’s inspectorate being brought in to assess the teacher’s suitability for the job, if a request is made by the school board.

Such a system could go some degree to meeting the demands of principals that a greater role be handed over from them to the inspectorate in dealing with under-performing teachers. The Irish Primary Principals Network has said there are not just issues around teaching ability, but also about staff who refuse to go along with policy changes or who intimidate fellow staff.

Labour Party education spokesman Ruairi Quinn said it is important the 20,000 people who took up school board of management duties last year have clear guidelines on the hiring and performance of all teachers.

“The lack of clarity in the past has created problems for pupils, parents, teachers, principals and boards of management alike. An agreed procedure with clear guidelines and safeguards will benefit all concerned, particularly those teachers who are not considered to be performing to the required standard,” he said.

However, teacher unions have remained tight-lipped about the proposals. They are anxious to be given assurances on the level of supports which will be made available for those whose work is identified as being unsatisfactory.

Teachers’ Union of Ireland general secretary Jim Dorney said it was regrettable that confidential talks were being reported in public and that the union does not believe in negotiation through the media.

Education Minister Mary Hanafin refused to be drawn on the details last week, but said that it was important that principals should have some role as they are in schools on a daily basis.