'Teachers cannot be expected to manage crisis situations alone,' INTO congress hears

Almost 1,000 delegates attended the first day of the INTO annual congress in Galway, many of them primary school or special education teachers. Picture: Moya Nolan

Traumatic physical injuries, “chronic” underfunding, “crippling” school running costs, and the housing crisis were high on the agenda as primary school teachers gathered for their annual congress.

Too many teachers are being left to cope alone after traumatic physical incidents in classrooms or on school yards, according to the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO).

The primary school teachers’ union is now to campaign for comprehensive reform of the assault leave scheme for teachers, including time extensions, access to counselling, and remuneration.

It follows a “sharp rise” in reported incidents, according to the union, particularly in special schools and special class settings where students lack access to vital therapies.

Almost 1,000 delegates attended the first day of the INTO annual congress in Galway, many of them primary school or special education teachers.

Following a motion held in private session and passed unanimously, delegates agreed to highlight the “unacceptable reality” that many teachers are left exhausting their standard sick leave following an incident.

This often results in financial hardship and has long-term emotional and physical consequences.

Teachers should never have to accept physical aggression as part of their job, said INTO general secretary John Boyle.

We must be clear: The children are not to blame, but teachers cannot be expected to manage crisis situations alone 

"Without immediate action, we risk further endangering the wellbeing of our teaching workforce and compromising the care and education of the very pupils who need the most support.” 

Chronic underfunding

School leaders “acutely” feel the chronic underfunding of primary education, the congress also heard.

Despite Ireland having one of the lowest levels of investment in primary education, schools are asked to deliver a world-class education system “on a shoestring budget”.

Many schools are currently relying on local fundraising to cover basic costs like lights and heating, according to the union.

The union is calling for an increased capitation grant at primary level; From September, primary schools will receive €224 per pupil towards utilities, insurance, and resources.

This is a “funding shortfall” of €162 per pupil, compared to voluntary secondary schools places, according to the union.

Many teachers who spoke at the congress highlighted cases where the current capitation grant is not enough for schools to make ends meet, causing them to turn to parents and fundraisers to plug funding gaps.

One school in Cork last year was billed €16,000 for electricity, €11,000 for insurance, and €4,500 in water charges alone, principal Siobhán Buckley told the congress.

Delegates also agreed to make the campaign for affordable homes a key priority in the year ahead.

Attendees heard how teachers are 'living in box rooms in their parents' homes, commuting for hours, or being forced to leave the profession altogether' because they can’t afford to live near schools

The conference also highlighted how one of the most pressing issues facing schools is the “ever-growing” demand for vital supports for children with additional needs.

Schools are “hindered” at every turn due to insufficient access to psychologists, special educational needs organisers, and support staff such as counsellors and therapists, INTO president Carmel Browne told delegates.

'Build a better future'

“Despite the failure of  Government to deliver therapeutic and wraparound care services for these children, our members are working hard every day in schools to do their best," Ms Brown said.

“But we need the Government to step up,” she added, calling on education minister Helen McEntee to show leadership and “build a better future for primary education as a matter of urgency.” 

Meanwhile, teachers are also calling time on initiative “overload”, Ms Browne added.

For some time now schools have had to deal with a myriad of burdensome administrative initiatives from multiple sections in the Department of Education, she told the congress. 

But now there is also a myriad of ministers who, at the stroke of a pen or sending of an email, can fundamentally impact on our daily lives in schools

"This includes the minister for education and youth; the minister for children; the minister of state for special education; minister for health; the minister for arts; the minister for finance; and the minister for climate and environment.

“I’m calling time on initiative overload. It’s time to let us teach,” she said.