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.