No agreement on redeploying 200 surplus teachers

UP to 200 teachers who are surplus to sanctioned staffing numbers in second-level schools cannot be moved elsewhere because of failure by the Department of Education and unions to agree a redeployment scheme over the last three years.

The redeployment scheme promised in the June 2006 Towards 2016 social partnership deal was to have been agreed by the end of that year. It was to allow for movement of a teacher to a different school when student numbers at the school where he or she works fell by enough to bring staffing levels above those allowed under pupil-teacher ratios set by Government.

But talks on the issue are still continuing, meaning no such arrangements are in place for the 387 religious- owned voluntary secondary schools or 90 schools in the community and comprehensive (C&C) sector.

The body representing second-level principals, which begins its annual conference today, has urged unions, school managers and the department to reach agreement quickly.

“It isn’t in principals’ interest for talks to be continuing late in the school year when we’re thinking about our timetables for next September. Things might be even more complicated by any further cuts in the budget in December,” said Clive Byrne, director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals.

It is understood that potential difficulties could lie in agreeing the criteria for selecting which teachers would have to move schools where a school goes over its staffing quota because of a drop in enrolments.

This is because a ‘surplus’ teacher may not match the subject requirements of schools which are entitled to take on extra staff.

While more than 200 teachers were above quota last year, dozens of these positions may no longer be surplus because of the reduced staffing levels since September due to cutbacks.

Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe acknowledged the difficulty created by having surplus teachers when some schools are crying out for staff. He told the Irish Examiner his officials are very close to agreement with unions and school management bodies in talks at the Teachers’ Conciliation Council.

“Generally, these are very experienced teachers who have so much to offer in other schools and it’s in the interest of the students that these teachers would be redeployed where they’re most needed,” he said.

The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) represents staff in voluntary secondary schools (privately owned and managed), where most of the surplus staff are working. “We are committed to continuing discussions on the new redeployment in agreement,” said a spokesperson.

The Joint Managerial Body (JMB) which represents the boards of almost 400 secondary schools said it was important to make clear that there are no teachers sitting in staff rooms doing nothing at schools with surplus teachers.