Unrest could be sparked by other directive

THE Teachers’ Union of Ireland’s (TUI) directive on class sizes is not the only instruction to teachers likely to cause industrial relations tensions in the country’s 4,000 schools which have already started opening their doors.

Its members in second-level schools and members of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) have been under directive not to teach classes more than 30, or 24 for other more practical subjects.

They have also been instructed since April not to take part in parent-teacher or staff meetings outside schools hours, or in any school development planning meetings.

The out-of-school-hours meetings have been taking place since agreement between unions, school managers and the Department of Education in 2004 as part of a range of measures to reduce the impact of such activities on class time for students, and to facilitate parents with more convenient times to discuss students’ progress with their teachers.

Members of second level unions and the 30,000-strong Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) have also been told not to take on the work of assistant principals or special duties where those jobs are vacant because promotion to all middle-management posts has been banned by the Department of Education. This could impact on the implementation of school policies on behaviour, attendance, IT or special needs education, roles normally covered by holders of those posts.

INTO’s incoming general secretary Sheila Nunan said the measures stem from members’ anger about cutbacks in effect and those taking hold for the coming year. The union is preparing a directive that teachers should not participate in the second half of staff meetings, which are normally scheduled an hour either side of closing time in primary schools.

“We want to get into meaningful talks with the Government in relation to the proper resourcing of the education system but, failing that, our executive will seek a mandate from members for industrial action,” said Ms Nunan.

An ASTI spokesperson said officials will attend meetings around the country in the next few weeks, where members can report on how the directives are being implemented and the effects of budgetary and other cutbacks.