'Unprecedented' teacher shortages affecting 'most vulnerable children in society'

The INTO survey found 28% of all schools reported long-term vacancies, with the percentage rising to 50% in the poorest areas, and 43% in special schools. File Picture: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

“They're the most vulnerable children in society and yet they're always the most forgotten children in society”.

Anne Hartnett, principal of St Paul’s School for children with additional needs, located in Montenotte, Co Cork, has shared her thoughts on the results of a lengthy survey detailing an “unprecedented” level of vacant teaching positions in both primary and secondary schools.

The survey, carried out by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO), revealed that there are currently over 800 teaching vacancies across the country.

The schools who took part also predicted an additional 1,202 long-term vacancies within the next three months.

Of those surveyed, 34% of the special schools reported vacant permanent posts.

Ms Hartnett says it comes as no surprise, as her school had only managed to find a teacher willing to fill an empty role for four days out of the allocated six weeks recently.

Anne Hartnett, Principal at St Paul's School or children with additional needs in Montenotte, Co Cork. File Picture: Jim Coughlan

“Not only do we have the same issues as our mainstream colleagues, but because newly qualified teachers and teachers, in general, are not aware of what goes on in a special school, they're fearful of it, so they're afraid to apply,” Ms Hartnett added.

The survey found 28% of all schools reported long-term vacancies, with the percentage rising to 50% in the poorest areas, and 43% in special schools.

“What it boils down to is the absolute same reason for mainstream schools," Ms Hartnett said.

The accommodation costs and the lack of places and the fact that people aren't interested in the job.

Two-thirds of primary schools surveyed said they had used a Special Education Teacher (SET) to fill in for an absence, with 61 schools admitting they had used a SET for more than 20 days by the end of the first month of the school year.

“My heart goes out to mainstream schools. It really does, because they're left in a difficult decision, you know, do I help 30 children in a class, or do I help six?” she added.

Ms Hartnett says this is an “unfair” decision for the principals of mainstream schools who are faced with little choice on the matter.

The survey also uncovered a huge geographical divide within Dublin and other urban areas. The capital recorded the largest number of vacant posts, with 513 out of all 809 posts available.

There were an additional 70 vacancies recorded in Kildare, 63 in Meath, 30 in Louth and 32 in Wicklow.

Only 72% of the schools who responded had been able to fill all their vacancies, with 306 schools still advertising vacant positions.

INTO Deputy General Secretary Deirdre O’Connor, said “all options must be actively explored” to guarantee that no pupil is left without a qualified teacher.

“We are acutely aware of the profound impact that the housing crisis and escalating living costs are having on the recruitment and retention of teachers in Ireland, particularly within areas experiencing rent pressures,” she added.

“It is long past time for the government to get serious about making teaching in Ireland’s primary and special schools as attractive as it once was."