Parents could benefit from teacher reforms

PARENTS of second-level students could benefit from more meetings with teachers after school hours instead of in class time if union members agree to proposals finalised by their officials and the Department of Education.

The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) and Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) are to ballot members on a detailed document setting out reforms they would have to deliver in return for a guarantee in last year’s Croke Park public service agreement of no compulsory redundancies or further pay cuts.

The document, published last night, also includes detailed arrangements for redeployment of more than 300 teachers at second level schools with more staff than sanctioned because of falling student numbers.