Student mental health impacted by staff cuts

Cutbacks in schools have left teachers and principals unable to care for the pastoral needs of their students, including their mental health, a second-level teaching union claims.

The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland claims a moratorium on school middle-management posts is undermining supports. The union commissioned a Millward Brown poll of 1,749 teachers and principals. 82% of principals said the moratorium undermines pastoral care structures. Some 40% of principals said Department of Education guidelines on student mental health are not adequately implemented.

“Schools have lost an average of six middle-management posts (known as posts of responsibility) since 2009,” the union said. “These posts are focused on student pastoral-care structures and include year heads and class tutors, whose responsibilities, typically, incorporate student attendance, student engagement, and monitoring of students at risk.”