Parents demand end to teacher action

THE head of the group representing second-level parents has urged teacher unions to end industrial action which is deepening a management crisis in schools.

For two months, the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) and Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) have banned members in management roles in second-level schools from switching roles to take on priority duties previously done by retired colleagues.

The Department of Education has stopped primary and second level schools filling vacancies in assistant principal and special duties posts as part of a wider public service promotions ban in place since March last year.

But school managers say the unions’ directive is making life even more difficult and putting increased pressure on principals and their deputies to keep schools running.

Jim Moore, president of the National Parents Council-Post Primary (NPC-PP), said mothers and fathers are well aware of the difficulties the promotions moratorium is creating and the implications if it’s not addressed.

“The education of our young people is not a production-line activity.

“More than ever, our students need an educational environment that is resourced enough to ensure they reach their full potential,” he said.

“There is a huge problem around the management of schools, particularly in the delivery of pastoral care.

“We agree with management bodies and teacher unions in their concerns,” said Mr Moore, whose organisation held its annual conference at the weekend.

But, while he can understand the unions’ action in relation to the moratorium, he urged them to reconsider it, particularly in light of the prospect of schools worst affected being promised some restoration of middle management posts by Tánaiste and Education Minister Mary Coughlan when students return after the summer holidays.

“There has to be some give in the overall delivery of education from the Department of Education and the unions for the care and well-being of children,” he said.