More teaching cuts ‘last straw’

FURTHER cuts to second-level school staff will severely threaten the life chances of the most disadvantaged pupils, a teachers’ union has claimed.

Documents released under Freedom of Information showed Education Minister Ruairi Quinn’s senior officials warning of the likely need to reduce non-classroom teacher numbers next year, but Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland secretary Pat King says schools are struggling to deliver quality education and more cuts will be the last straw.