Concern over plans to allow unqualified people teach

A STAGGERING 600 CVs were received by one Galway secondary school that didn’t even have a job on offer, it has been revealed, as plans by the Government to give unqualified teachers a legal right to teach in schools have been roundly criticised.

Fine Gael Seanad education spokeswoman Fidelma Healy Eames said unemployed teachers were in “dire straits”.

“The gravity of the situation is evidenced by the fact that 600 CVs were dropped in to a secondary school in Galway that didn’t even have a post on offer. In another case 13 qualified teachers applied for a 15 hour special needs’ assistant post.”

Senator Healy Eames said many unemployed teachers were facing into their third year of looking for a job.

“The cuts in teacher posts over the last two years are really being felt now with hopefuls looking for a year’s substitute experience so that they can be probated and teachers trying, many for the third year now, to secure posts,” she said.

Despite large numbers of qualified teachers being out of work, the Government is planning to give unqualified personnel a legal right to teach in schools.

The Government has insisted the employment of non-qualified teachers would only occur in exceptional circumstances and only in consultation with management, unions and the Teaching Council.

However, the provision, contained in a draft Education (Amendment) Bill 2010, was roundly criticised by teaching unions.

INTO general secretary Sheila Nunan said: “It is completely unacceptable for a non-teacher to be employed when highly qualified teachers are seeking work.”