08/11/2011

Union Slams Teacher Cuts

A union, which represents teachers in Ireland, has spoken out against proposals to cut teacher posts by up to 1,000 next year.

The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) has criticised plans which see "extreme" cuts on the horizon for teachers.

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn and Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin are in discussions to cut the number of teachers at primary and secondary level by between 1,500-2,000.

It is believed the cuts will mean secondary schools will have an average of 20 students per teacher, while the primary school ratio will be pushed to at least 28 students per teacher by September next year.

TUI Deputy General Secretary Annette Dolan said that these cuts will lead to "tough decisions”.

She said:"Ultimately what this cut will mean is not more pupils in the classroom, but less teachers in the school, which, at second level, means less subject choice.

"So, for instance, principals in schools will now have to make a choice in relation to what subjects they drop, and what higher-level and ordinary-level classes they put together."

(LB)

Related Northern Ireland Recruitment News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

22 October 2012
Spokesperson Urges People To Support Teachers Protest
Sinn Féin Education Spokesperson Jonathan O’Brien, TD, has voiced his support for a protest outside Leinster House at 4.
04 May 2004
Head Teachers warn exodus reaching 'critical proportions'
The National Association of Head Teachers have announced that the number of head teachers leaving the profession is reaching “critical proportions”. A study by the union revealed that 1,500 vacancies had already been advertised this year, an increase of 25% on the same period last year.
06 June 2008
Aviva Announce Job Cuts
Aviva has announced up to 1,800 job cuts by 2010 as part of the company's pending transformation.
13 September 2012
FG Wilson Cut Nearly 800 Jobs
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has expressed his shock and sadness at news engineering firm FG Wilson is to make almost 800 workers redundant.
11 November 2003
FE training courses are 'failing' teachers
Further education teacher training courses are failing to provide trainee teachers with a satisfactory foundation in the professional skills needed at the start of their careers, according to a report published today by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).