Ballot threat at ‘dumbingdown’ of courses

Fears that upskilling courses could be privatised and ‘dumbed down’ as a cash-saving measure have prompted a threat of industrial action by the Teachers’ Union of Ireland.

It claims to have been left out of the process under which the Department of Education is examining changes in further education and training. It could see private providers taking over some courses in public colleges.

At the union’s congress in Wexford, a motion was passed that should mean strong resistance to any attempts by private providers to deliver further education and training courses previously given by TUI members. Delegates formally instructed union leaders to ballot for industrial action if any members are displaced in such a move.