PE instructors ‘at risk’ over lack of protocols

THE Department of Education must immediately introduce strict new guidelines to protect physical education (PE) teachers who have to enter changing rooms with students from “accusations of inappropriate behaviour”.

Speaking at the second day of the Teachers Union of Ireland’s (TUI) congress in Ennis, Co Clare, representatives warned that PE teachers are currently facing the genuine risk of serious allegations because there is no guidance at ministerial level.

Raising the issue amid strong support from the union’s 450-strong delegation, Co Meath branch representative Majella Mortell said teachers taking students for sports classes were risking having their reputation sullied by entering changing rooms to check on pupils.

She added that while it was clear this left them open to “accusations of inappropriate behaviour”, the Department of Education has yet to introduce guidelines to “safeguard” staff or protocol to inform them of when they can enter a changing room.

The motion, which was passed by congress, was welcomed by TUI executive committee member Manus Brennan, who said as a PE teacher he was aware of the difficulties involved due to “the very distinct conflict in the duty of care”.

“There is duty of care and there is our own professional care. Malicious accusations can be made in jest, and I stress in jest, against a teacher, but they can then grow legs and change context,” he said.

Meanwhile, the union has also called for the existing Post Leaving Cert (PLC) student cap to be lifted with immediate effect in an attempt to cope with the demand for course places.

According to the TUI, last year more than 60,000 students applied for places on PLC courses across the country. However, during the same period just 30,000 places were available.

Describing the shortfall as deeply concerning, TUI president Don Ryan said that immediate action needed to be taken toensure those seeking to continue in the education system were given the opportunity to do so.

He added that the situation was most clear at Ballyfermot College, which has been lauded in recent weeks after one of its former students received an Oscar for his animation work but is facing a situation where a massive 6,200 students applied for just 1,300 first year places last year.

“It is an indictment of the short-sightedness of our education policy makers that colleges such as Ballyfermot remain severely restricted by a capping on student numbers.

“PLC courses are a very cost-effective way of up-skilling the population and restrictions on places make no economic, social or educational senses. In economic terms, the cost of the extra resources necessary to take on new students would be greatly offset by savings in the jobseekers allowance,” the TUI president said.

“There is a huge demand from both school leavers and adults who have become unemployed to access PLC courses.”