Teachers call for enhanced DEIS scheme to reduce class sizes

Delegates vote on a motion at the Irish National Teachers' Organisation annual congress in Derry. Photo: Moya Nolan

Members of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) have endorsed calls for the introduction of an enhanced Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools scheme (DEIS+) for the most disadvantaged primary schools.

Speakers at the conference noted the importance of the current DEIS scheme in closing the gap between educational outcomes for pupils living in disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged areas.

“I went to DEIS primary and secondary schools,” said David Fagan, proposing the motion. “I was part of the Access programme. I would urge a pro-rata reduction for DEIS Band 1 schools — something which hasn’t happened in recent years when the threshold for admin deputy status was for non-DEIS schools.” 

INTO Deputy General Secretary Deirdre O’Connor said: "Many children in Ireland, including in our DEIS schools, are being taught in class sizes well above the EU and OECD averages, even though numerous international research projects have shown the huge benefits of lower class sizes, particularly within disadvantaged areas.

“Class sizes must be further reduced in all schools with schools in the DEIS+ scheme having the lowest averages of all, to give every child the greatest opportunity possible to succeed within our education system.” 

The same concern was communicated by teachers in relation to children with additional needs.

Delegates at the Irish National Teachers' Organisation annual congress in Derry. Photo: Moya Nolan

The changes to the criteria for provision of Special Education Teaching (SET) supports have disquieted many educators, delegates heard, while the National Council for Special Education’s (NCSE) assertion that there is insufficient data on this topic has confused teachers working at the coalface.

The INTO has said it will seek significant improvements to the SET allocation model for the 25/26 school year.

Fergal Brougham, Dublin North-East, said: “You cannot send well-meaning wonderful staff into classrooms if they do not have training. Training of staff is key. 

The relationship between teachers and children is fundamental to successful teaching and learning. Teachers must be properly trained to support children with complex needs.

“Environment is key for children with additional needs. The department are too often happy for children just to have a room. Special classes must be properly resourced.” 

INTO general secretary John Boyle said teachers are understandably irate at the governments’ failure to provide vital wraparound education and care supports for children with special educational needs in schools. 

"With around 19,000 teachers working in the special education space in Ireland, this is an issue we as a union need to continue to prioritise. Underfunding SEN should be a national shame and it shouldn’t be up to teachers, parents, and pupils to remind this government of their moral duty towards some of society’s most vulnerable and undervalued individuals.” 

Norma Foley Minister for Education addressing delegates at the Irish National Teachers' Organisation annual congress in Derry. Photo: Moya Nolan

The union also passed a motion to push for better pay and conditions for primary teachers. 

It mandates the union to advocate within the Irish Congress of Trade Unions for initiatives that support teachers facing housing affordability challenges, particularly in areas with high rent pressure, including the exploration of an urban allowance, a DEIS teachers’ allowance, a Special School Teacher Allowance and a Special Class Teacher Allowance.

Furthermore, the union will over the next decade seek targeted annual payments to the 2011-2014 cohort to address historical financial losses.