Criticism of teacher cover changes

PROPOSED changes to substitution cover for second-level teachers will not be enough to allow schools to continue sports and other extra curricular activities, principals have warned.

A deal was reached earlier this month between Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe and school management bodies to lift proposed restrictions on cover for teachers on uncertified sick leave and official school business. The situation improved the scenario in which school managers and teachers had warned that the ban on all such substitution and supervision cover from January, as proposed in the budget, would have led to children being sent home because of inadequate supervision.

However, the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals said it will be impossible to implement the revised scheme.