Hiring sub teachers proves difficult

More than one third of primary schools have been unable to hire a substitute teacher at least 10 times since September, a survey has found.

The Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) said the responses of its members about recruitment difficulties for their schools suggest the substitute shortage is reaching crisis proportions.

At the IPPN annual conference today, Education Minister Richard Bruton will announce his department is lifting restrictions on the ability of teachers on career break to undertake substitution work.