Teachers not as well paid as many suppose

The editorial comment that teaching is a “relatively well-paid job” (Irish Examiner, May 25) needs a little more analysis.

True, teachers in general, earn more than workers in many unskilled jobs but this is hardly a fair comparison. One must remember that teaching in Ireland is a graduate profession and that at second-level, not one, but two, university qualifications are needed as a minimum entry requirement.

Studies show that on average Irish teachers earn less than other Irish workers with similar education and experience. The OECD Education at a Glance study published in late 2011 concluded that teachers in Ireland have an income of just 88% of workers with similar education levels. The gap is even wider when one considers that this study did not take into account the public sector levy (-7.5%), a pay cut (-7%) and changes for new entrants (-14%).

The majority of younger secondary teachers are on non-permanent contracts of a year or less. They enter teaching after an unpaid training period of five years (soon to be six at second level). It takes many more years to secure some level of permanency.

If the conditions of teachers in Ireland are as good as some commentators will have us believe, then one would expect a rush of self-employed and private sector graduates into the teaching profession. To date this has not been observed.

Kevin P McCarthy

Killarney

Co Kerry