Change to vaccine rollout schedule 'not a value judgment' on teachers - Foley

Tue, 06 Apr, 2021 - 15:21

Jess Casey, Shauna Bowers and Nicole Glennon

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Payment sought for student teachers on placement programs
ASTI adopts maximum class size of 24 policy
Harris - Funding for higher education 'ducked and dodged' for too long
Motion on future Leaving Cert curriculum reform passed unanimously by ASTI
Government's decision vaccine programme 'particularly disappointing'
Closures impact DEIS school students in particular
Primary teachers' union back motion on class size reduction'
Appalling' lack of psychologists and therapists at crisis point - INTO
Covid pandemic magnified issue of inequality in education - TUI
Teacher unions to debate industrial action over vaccine schedule changes

The three teachers' unions have agreed to a joint motion to their respective congresses tomorrow on vaccination prioritisation.

The INTO, ASTI, and TUI have agreed to put forward a shared emergency motion, however, the exact wording will not be available until tomorrow.

"The motion will seek to commit the unions to work together to demand vaccine prioritisation for teachers," the group said in a joint statement.

"Should that fail, the motion will mandate the unions to explore any and all options, up to and including industrial action.”

Change to vaccine rollout schedule 'not a value judgment' on teachers, Norma Foley tells conference

The Government is unlikely to revise its decision on the new vaccine rollout schedule, the Minister for Education has indicated to teachers.

The three teaching unions are due to bring a shared, emergency motion to delegates tomorrow, demanding vaccine prioritisation for teachers.

If it passes, it will see members balloted on taking industrial action.

Addressing the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) annual conference this Tuesday, Norma Foley said she understands the disappointment about the recent changes to the roll-out.

However, the change has been driven by new evidence that shows age is the “strongest predictor” of whether a person who contracts Covid-19 will be admitted to hospital or ICU or die, according to Ms Foley.

“This is the latest medical and scientific evidence available. This is not a value judgment on any given profession. This is simply the science.”

Payment sought for student teachers on placement programs

The ASTI will seek to negotiate payment for teaching work carried out by student teachers during their Postgraduate Master of Education course, following a motion proposed by the Stillorgan branch of the union.

There are no payments, stipend or financial contribution for those undertaking student teacher placement programs during their Postgraduate Master of Education courses.

Ciara Kinsella, who proposed the motion, said some 70% of student teachers have part-time jobs during their placements and are working evenings and weekends having already completed a full week's work.

“Many student teachers also pay for lesson materials and resources from their own pockets,” she said, while some are unable to afford such materials to complete lessons which are used for accreditation purposes in their education.

The government “should have the decency to provide financial recognition, and keep in line with the practice in other professions,” she said.

ASTI adopts maximum class size of 24 policy

The ASTI has adopted a policy of a maximum class size of 24 students for general subjects and a maximum class size of 20 students for all practical subjects.

The motion was proposed by Deirdre MacDonald of the Wexford Tony Boland Branch who said Ireland’s secondary level classes are among the largest class sizes in Europe.

“They reflect the huge under-investment in education that has been part and parcel of our system for years,” she added.

The average OECD class size in lower secondary education is 23 compared to an EU average of 21.

An ASTI/RED C Survey carried out last year found large class sizes and inadequate physical environments in schools were impacting negatively on teaching and learning with 85% of teachers agreeing that large class sizes often impact negatively on the range of teaching methodologies they used.

More than half of teachers said large class sizes often affect their ability to cover the course being taught.

Teacher Andrew Phelan, who noted it was his tenth ASTI convention, said the issue of smaller class sizes has been debated “time and time again” and yet numbers in classrooms continue to grow.

“I absolutely support the motion but I’d like to make the point that for ten years we’ve been discussing it - are we going to do something about it?”

A recent poll carried out by the ASTI revealed 63% of its members believe smaller classes will be the most important area for investment in schools after the pandemic.

Harris - Funding for higher education 'ducked and dodged' for too long

Funding higher and further education is an issue that has been “ducked and dodged for far too long”, Minister Simon Harris has said.

Speaking at the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI)’s annual conference on Tuesday, Minister Harris said while investment in the sector has increased, it is “not where it needs to be”.

“This new dedicated Department will seek to rectify that. We expect the final report on the future funding of the sector in the next few months and I want you to know two things: I don’t intend to be dusting it or seeking a shelf to stick it on," he said.

Minister Harris said he intends to act on it with meaningful engagement with stakeholders, including the TUI.

He referred to the €168 million Covid support package as a recent “funding success”.

Motion on future Leaving Cert curriculum reform passed unanimously by ASTI

The redesigned science syllabus provides only "a list of topics and learning outcomes" and does not sufficiently detail how deeply to go into a topic or what areas to cover, it is understood.

A motion to demand that the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) include “depth of treatment” and “range of subject knowledge”, in the design template of all future Leaving Certificate subject specifications, including those currently under development has been passed unanimously by the ASTI.

The motion was proposed by John Conneely, a physics teacher from St. Flannan’s College in Ennis, Co. Clare.

Mr Conneely said; “For a Leaving Certificate syllabus design to conform to international best practice, it should contain considerable detail on the topics to be studied, depth of treatment of these topics and subject-specific details such as lab practice work, fieldwork, or practical skills.”

The redesigned science syllabus provides only "a list of topics and learning outcomes" and does not sufficiently detail how deeply to go into a topic or what areas to cover, it is understood.

Mr Conneely also pointed to an Agricultural Science Teacher as saying he didn’t know whether he should be spending “two months, two weeks, two days or two hours” on a topic.

A recent survey by the Irish Agricultural Science Teachers’ Association found just 0.4% of teachers rated the clarity of the learning outcomes within the new specification as “very clear.”

Meanwhile, a motion to demand that a full and comprehensive review of the implementation of the Junior Cycle framework be undertaken and published by an independent educational body prior to any further changes being proposed and/or implemented at Senior Cycle level, has been passed by the ASTI.

The motion was proposed by the Dublin South Central, Galway and Mullingar branches of the ASTI.

Speaking in support of the motion, teacher and delegate Niall Mahon said the Junior Cert as it stands “simply isn’t fit for purpose.”

Delegate Sandra Fay, who is also a Solidarity Councillor in Tallaght South, also backed the motion, stating the government is using the pandemic to “sneak in” one of their long term goals, reforms and changes “with no teacher voice or accountabilities or view of educational reform.”

Ms Fay said teachers needed to ensure that every change made has “true benefits” for students today and going forward.

Closures impact DEIS school students in particular

“A lot of our students have regressed and some will struggle to re-engage for even the last seven weeks of the term.”

School closures have had a negative impact on DEIS students in particular, the ASTI’s Easter conference has heard.

“For those of us that are teaching in DEIS schools, we know that for the majority of our students, educational progress happens between the hours of 9am and 4pm," teacher Edel Farrell said.

“A lot of our students have regressed and some will struggle to re-engage for even the last seven weeks of the term.”

Ms Farrell, who is also a member of the ASTI's Education Committee, said it is obvious that school closures as a result of the pandemic have “further underlined” the need for additional support.

“To prevent long term implications, schools, especially those in lower socio-economic areas will need extensive funding to ensure a deepening divide in education inequality does not occur."

Government's decision on vaccine programme 'particularly disappointing

The decision to “abruptly” and “disrespectfully” rearrange the vaccination programme to an age-based system is “particularly disappointing”, the president of a teachers’ union has said.

Norma Foley, the Minister for Education, is set to address the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) this Tuesday at 3 pm.

Last week, the Government announced the national vaccination programme is to be changed to an age-based system, once those aged 70 years and older, the vulnerable, and people with underlying conditions are immunised.

The decision has been criticised by several frontline sectors in society, particularly teachers, who believe they should be prioritised due to their working conditions.

Martin Marjoram, president of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI), said the union has been in correspondence with the Department of Education in recent weeks on the issue.

He said the Department “gave clear indication of our place in the prioritisation” and “offered hope” that front line school staff would be vaccinated “at the earliest possible opportunity within that first third”.

“While ever respectful of public health professionals, bombshell policy U-turns of this magnitude, broken to TUI’s leadership through leaks and distressed emails and texts from members, create industrial relations problems which require a response and, in our view, a further U-turn,” he said.

“We have never sought to be advanced above those most vulnerable to infection or the most serious consequences thereof, but we must insist that commitments made on such sensitive issues be honoured.”

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Primary teachers' union back motion on class size reduction

Primary teaching trade unionists have backed a motion demanding a reduction in class sizes.

The INTO is now calling for class sizes to be reduced, at a minimum, to the EU average of 20 students per class.

Proposing the motion, Carmel Browne from the INTO’s Central Executive Committee said the impact of supersized classes was never more evident than when the Covid pandemic hit.

“As hard as everyone worked to get our schools open last August, the stark reality is that social distance is an impossibility in large classes in cramped classrooms.”

“Keeping an adequate distance between pupils, or even groups of pupils, in the average Irish classroom, is an impossible task.”

'Appalling' lack of psychologists and therapists at crisis point - INTO

An “appalling” absence of educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, and counsellors is at crisis point, teacher trade unionists have warned.

The annual teachers’ conferences get underway this Tuesday, with delegates to meet and debate virtually across two days due to the ongoing pandemic.

Teachers see the physical and psychological effects that homelessness, emergency accommodation, and direct provision have on students in their classrooms and under their care, according to Mary Magner, INTO president. Picture:Gareth Chaney/Collins

Norma Foley, the Minister for Education, is set to address the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) this Tuesday at 3 pm.

Covid-19 has uncovered the dearth of physical, emotional, social, and mental health supports for our most vulnerable pupils, delegates from the INTO heard this morning.

Teachers see the physical and psychological effects that homelessness, emergency accommodation, and direct provision have on students in their classrooms and under their care, according to Mary Magner, INTO president.

In her opening address to the conference, Ms. Magner spoke about tackling large class sizes, the digital divide, and underinvestment in primary education.

She also spoke about addressing the shortage of therapists needed to help support vulnerable children.

“Our educational system simply does not have enough of these therapists in our schools and the severe shortage of support is negatively affecting and will continue to impact on this generation of children, if the situation isn’t addressed at lightning speed.”

Teachers know that the stakes are high, she added.

“Where pupils ‘drop-out’ of school, they become easy prey for drug-related crime and criminal gangs. Education is the gateway to a better life.”

Equally Special Education inclusion comes at a price, she added.

“It is a price worth paying. Any new model of special education provision is doomed to fail, if, it is not resourced properly.”

“Never again should we have to put up with an education system that does not support its most vulnerable because it fails to provide a full range of clinicians, highly skilled and trained teachers, and appropriate resources.”

Jess Casey: Teacher conferences may be online, but Norma Foley won't get off the hook

Covid pandemic magnified issue of inequality in education - TUI

The Covid-19 pandemic has shown that inequality is “endemic in our society”, a teachers’ conference has heard.

In his opening address, Michael Gillespie, general secretary of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI), said while the pandemic did not create inequality, it did magnify the issue in education.

“To tackle educational inequality effectively and decisively, society must invest in education as a public service and a key aspect for our future wellbeing,” he said.

Mr Gillespie said the pandemic has also highlighted a number of issues that need to be tackled, including class size and ventilation in schools.

“A clear lesson of the pandemic is the importance of class size especially for those on the margins and those with additional educational needs. The quality of public education depends to a significant degree on having classes of a manageable size for teachers and for their students,” he said.

“Classes in Irish schools are currently too large, and this materially affects the service that our members can provide to their students. If we are to engage the disengaged, include the formerly excluded, and if we are to give every student a fair chance, smaller classes are an imperative.” Mr Gillespie called for a “fundamental reappraisal and a new conceptualisation” of what a school should look like.

“We always knew that ventilation and air quality were important. We now know just how important. It has never been a requirement in our classes, but it must be now. This is a structural problem which can and must be addressed,” he said.

CO2 meters or air quality meters should be installed in every classroom, he added.

Mr Gillespie said the union is calling for a “new deal” for education and the sustained investment to make changes.

He highlighted access to good broadband for students in particular, which he said must be “a national asset” and should be installed in every household.

“Being connected has its challenges but not being connected is a new species of disadvantage, an impediment to progress at an individual, family and community level,” he said.

On the emergency measures for the junior and leaving cert over the past two years, Mr Gillespie said this could not set a precedent, and traditional, external exams must resume post-pandemic.

“We note the chorus of consultants now calling for the temporary arrangements to be made permanent. Let me tell you; they will be waiting. We are not here to allow opportunistic dreams to come to fruition,” he said.

“We will not be fooled into accepting as permanent what we agreed to be temporary. We will not countenance the abandonment of the written, state-certified exams, externally set and assessed. TUI will not yield to demands for a year-round, 24/7 work pattern.”

Teacher unions to debate industrial action over vaccine schedule changes

The three teacher unions are expected to bring forward emergency motions on potential industrial action to delegates as their conferences get under way. File Picture: Larry Cummins

Students could face disruption before the summer if teachers choose to strike over the Government's decision to bump them down the vaccine priority list.

The three teachers’ unions are expected to bring forward emergency motions on potential industrial action to delegates as their annual Easter teaching conferences get under way.

The emergency motions will not affect the next and final phase of reopening schools from next Monday, April 12. However, if passed, it could see industrial action taken as early as this term.

Education Minister Norma Foley is expected to be greeted with an angry reception when she addresses delegates virtually across both days of the conferences.

While the minister is to speak at both the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) and Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) conferences, she will not address the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI).

Last night, union representatives would not be drawn on the wording of the motions to be brought to delegates. It is also not yet known whether it will be a joint motion shared between the three unions.

Delegates will be asked if they support taking a strong position in relation to changes in the vaccine rollout. They will also be asked about what action they may deem necessary to achieve a revision of the decision on the vaccines made last week, according to Kieran Christie, ASTI general secretary.

'Very disappointed'

"Our members are very angry and hurt and disappointed with the decision that has been made," said Mr Christie. "They want the matter revisited and redressed."

If delegates back the motions, union members will then be balloted for industrial action, likely to include potential strike action. It is expected that this could take place at primary level within the coming weeks.

However, secondary teachers are understood to be reluctant about heaping more disruption on this year's Leaving Cert class. The removal of teachers from the vaccine priority list is seen by many as a move that could undermine the efforts of teachers and school staff to keep schools open and running during the pandemic.

Members of the INTO, ASTI, and TUI are said to be furious about the change to the rollout. One union source said its members felt as if they had the rug pulled out from under them after being told they would be prioritised along with other frontline staff.

Fórsa has also called on the Government to review the decision to remove special needs assistants from the Covid-19 vaccine priority list.

As well as Covid’s impact on the classroom, longstanding issues such as lower pay for new entrants and large class sizes are expected to dominate the agenda across both days of the annual teaching conferences.

Research carried out by the TUI suggests that almost three out of 10 teachers who entered the profession after 2011 do not believe they will still be in the teaching profession in 10 years' time.

Pay disparity

However, if pay disparity was to be addressed, 74% said they believed they would still be in the profession in 10 years. Martin Marjoram, TUI president, said this shows the "continuing corrosive effect" of pay disparity.

The INTO is expected to warn that the pandemic hit a primary education system already near breaking point, citing a "decade of underinvestment" in primary and special schools. INTO president Mary Magner will call for a change of approach to education funding here post-Covid, pointing to our low levels of GDP on primary education.

Yesterday, a further 320 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed. No new deaths were reported.

The latest vaccination figures show that 923,878 doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered to Friday, April 2 — 655,292 people have received their first dose while 268,586 have received their second. The millionth dose will be given within days.

Teachers consider strike action after revised Covid vaccine plans

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