INTO History

As Time Goes By - A brief view of  INTO History

1868 - 1890

  • INTO formed from amalgam of 71 local teacher associations with Vere Foster as first President.
  • The report of the Powis Commission in 1870 recommends security of tenure for teachers with three months' notice of dismissal and an appeals procedure. It also recommends payment by results.
  • In 1875 the INTO succeeds in ensuring the provision of teachers' residences.
  • Establishment of contributory pension fund for national teachers in 1879.
  • National Board of Education allows for recruitment to the Inspectorate from national teachers.
  • Commissioners of National Education agree to INTO demand for revision of school textbooks.
  • INTO campaign tactics include branch motions, area meetings, press coverage, petitions, questionnaires, political lobbying, structured Annual Congresses and the use of a professional journal The Irish Teachers' Journal.

1891 - 1920

  • Maynooth Statute agreed in 1894.
  • In 1899 Roman Catholic authorities in Tuam and Armagh ban the employment of INTO members in their schools because of the INTO stand on management of schools. 
  • Irish Protestant National Teachers' Union formed in 1899 under the umbrella of INTO to handle managerial issues affecting Protestant schools.
  • In 1898 the Belmore Commission on National Education urges a child-centred approach to education. It also recommends a much wider curriculum (including science), the adoption of heuristic teaching methods and a more humane approach to discipline.
  • In 1904 the INTO begins publishing the Irish School Weekly.
  • Abolition of payment by results and the introduction of incremental scales.
  • The ban on employment of INTO members in the Tuam and Armagh Dioceses was finally lifted in 1905.
  • In 1907 the INTO Congress changes Organisation Rules to allow for the election of two women to reserved places on the CEC.
  • In 1912 Catherine Mahon is elected first female President of INTO.
  • Salary paid directly to teachers on a monthly basis from 1918.
  • First full time General Secretary appointed in 1916 - Mr E Mansfield.
  • INTO Head Office opens at 9 Gardiner Place, Dublin in 1919.
  • INTO Benevolent Fund established.
  • In 1918 the INTO registers as a trade union and affiliates with the Trade Union Congress.
  • Members secede in 1919 to form the Ulster Teachers' Union.

1921 - 1950

  • INTO convenes a National Programme Conference in 1922, which forms the basis of curricular policy in the Irish Free State. Under the Programme several subjects are dropped and the revival of the Irish language and Gaelic culture are the central aims. Despite INTO reservations about several aspects of the Programme, including the all Irish infant school policy, the Government presses ahead and the basic curricular philosophy and structure remains virtually unchanged until 1971.
  • Separate structures and operating procedures evolve for the INTO in Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State, but the INTO was maintained as a 32 county Organisation.
  • In 1923 the Government cuts teacher salaries by 10%.
  • In 1924 the Department of Education is established.
  • Government enacts a School Attendance Act in 1926 following successful lobbying by INTO.
  • In 1927, at the urging of the INTO, a commission on the Inspectorate results in improved working conditions for teachers.
  • In 1933 prominent INTO members move to make home ownership possible for teachers by establishing the Educational Building Society in the Teachers' Club in Dublin.
  • In 1937 the INTO succeeds in getting redeployment rights through the establishment of Diocesan panels.
  • In 1938 the Government enforces the early retirement of women teachers. A marriage ban on women teachers had been in force since 1934.
  • Primary Certificate exam introduced in 1943.
  • INTO unrest on salary levels results in the 1946 strike. Dublin teachers withdraw from schools while the other members in the country contribute towards their strike pay. The strike continues for seven months, and ends with the intervention of Archbishop John Charles McQuaid.
  • INTO researches and publishes several key policy documents on education including A Plan for Education in 1947.
  • The enforced early retirement of women teachers is rescinded in 1948.
  • INTO successfully lobbies for the recognition and establishment of a Special Education sector for children with disabilities.

1951 - 1980

  • Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for Teachers established in 1951.
  • The marriage ban on women teachers is ended in 1958.
  • In 1962 a strike by INTO members in Ballina effectively puts an end to religious orders' takeovers of large lay schools.
  • In 1966 the Investment in Education Report supports the contention of the INTO about the unsatisfactory conditions and facilities in national schools. It is also revealed that 22% of schools are deemed obsolete by the Office of Public Works.
  • INTO members take strike action in Ardfert, Co Kerry in 1968 to highlight the issue of substandard buildings.
  • In 1967 INTO wins its case for the abolition of the Primary Certificate which had been compulsory since 1943.
  • 1967 also sees the introduction of free post-primary education and a school transport scheme.
  • The INTO Education Committee is established in 1967. Head Office moves to 35 Parnell Square.
  • New Curriculum issued in 1971 including aspects such as art and crafts, an expanded music programme, elementary science and physical education, which were advocated by the INTO in its 1947 Plan for Education.
  • In 1968 the Ryan Tribunal establishes a common basic scale for primary and post-primary teachers. Other allowances are introduced for extra qualifications and promoted posts. A points weighting on children for the calculation of promotion levels is also introduced.
  • In 1974 the basic qualification for primary teaching achieves university status with the introduction of the B. Ed degree. The INTO had been seeking this change since the turn of the century.
  • In 1975 Management Boards for National Schools are introduced involving representatives of the patron, parents and teachers. The INTO continues to campaign for equal representation.
  • The Drimoleague strike about the appointment of a principal in the Co. Cork school begins in 1976.
  • Equal pay is introduced in 1977, abolishing the differential whereby married men were on a different scale to single men and women.
  • A new magazine, Tuarascáil, is published by the INTO.
  • The INTO introduces Staff Representatives in schools in 1979.
  • The INTO publishes a major policy document on Educational Disadvantage in 1979 which highlights several key policy requirements.
  • 1980 sees a major review of teachers' salaries and allowances following a campaign by the teachers' unions.

1981 - 1999

  • In 1981 the INTO leads a successful campaign against the Minister for Education's decision to raise the school entry age from 4 to 4 1/2.
  • Comhar Linn, a credit union for INTO members and their families, is established in 1981.
  • 1982 sees the end of the Drimoleague strike but legal action continues until 1997.
  • The INTO establishes a Third World Education and Development Fund in 1983.
  • The Government decides in 1985 not to honour an independent arbitration award of 10% to teachers. The three teachers' unions, under the banner of Teachers United, vigorously campaign on the issue including strike action and a rally in Croke Park of 20,000 teachers. The settlement involves the payment of the award on a phased basis.
  • 1985 sees the introduction of a Career Break scheme for teachers.
  • The INTO instigates an annual Education Conference, which deals with policies on a wide range of education topics including curriculum, inservice provision, information technology in schools and assessment.
  • The INTO establishes an Equality Committee in 1987.
  • The INTO campaigns with management and parents in 1987 against proposed cutbacks in education and cuts in teacher numbers. This results in the issuing of Circular 20/87 ameliorating the worst effects. The settlement also changes the enrolment requirements for staffing from a quarterly enrolment basis to the 30 September basis.
  • 1987 sees the first of a series of national programmes agreed. It is called the Programme for National Recovery. Subsequent programmes include the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, the Programme for Competitiveness and Work, Partnership 2000 and the latest Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.
  • The late 80's and early 90's see a rise in teacher unemployment. The INTO campaigns to secure improvements in substitute teachers' conditions. Changes include direct payment, an arbitration award for substitutes, linkage to salary rises on the incremental scale, limited incremental and pension credit provision and the establishment of supply panels in certain areas.
  • 1989 sees a landmark gender equality case taken by the INTO on behalf of a Limerick female teacher which results in an £11,000 award.
  • A major report on participation in the INTO is published in 1991.
  • 1991 sees a further 10% arbitration award for teachers which is uncontested by the Government.
  • 1991 also sees the publication of the Primary Curriculum Review report and the report of the Primary Education Review Body. The NCCA, through Curriculum Committees, devises a revised curriculum for primary schools. Pressure grows to introduce new topics such as RSE, ICT, drugs awareness programmes and child abuse prevention measures.
  • In 1994 the INTO succeeds in securing panel redeployment rights for temporary teachers after 5 years' service. This is subsequently reduced to 3 years.
  • In 1994 the INTO establishes a Professional Development Unit which pioneers a variety of approaches to, and courses for, the professional development of teachers.
  • Job sharing, parental leave and a limited expansion of substitute cover are introduced, as is fortnightly pay for teachers.
  • The perennial themes of staffing and funding of primary education continue to be central in campaigns.
  • A major review of special education is carried out by a specially appointed committee.
  • The PCW settlement in 1996 replaces the points system with promotion based on the number of teachers in a school. More than 50% of primary teachers hold promoted posts as a result. The long standing Specialist Teachers' Claim is resolved, giving all teachers an allowance for their teaching qualification. Other elements include a long service allowance after 35 years' service and limited expansion of retirement options.
  • The 90's bring unprecedented changes and proposals on education legislation. A Green Paper, White Paper and Education Act are published. An Education Welfare Act is passed in 2000. A National Education Convention is held.
  • The 90's also see a significant expansion of provision for educational disadvantage with programmes including Early Start, Breaking the Cycle, and Home/School/Community/ Liaison.
  • In 1998 InTouch replaces both Tuarascáil and Education Today as the INTO members' magazine.
  • 1998: Minister introduces automatic supports for children with special needs. Resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants are appointed.
  • A Review Body on the role of the primary school principal reports in 1999.
  • Staffing negotiations in 1999 result in the introduction of an average class size of 30 for primary schools.
  • A scheme to ensure all primary schools have the services of ancillary staff is agreed under the new national Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.
  • Revised Primary School Curriculum is published in 1999.

2000-2007

  • Task Force on Autism established in 2000.
  • First provision for release days for teaching principals.
  • Teaching Council Act (2001) passed into law.
  • John Carr and Catherine Byrne elected General Secretary and General Treasurer, respectively, in 2001.
  • Report of transmission of Public Service Pensions (2001) recommends single retirement age of 65 for new entrants.
  • Carers' Leave Act (2001) introduces new provisions.
  • Statutory Committee on Educational Disadvantage established in 2001.
  • Deals on payment to teachers for supervision and substitution (2002).
  • Ó Dúlaing dismissal case, Dunboyne, cause of public controversy in 2002.
  • Committee to review INTO Rules and Structures set up by INTO Congress 2002 to report in 2004.
  • Benchmarking Body on Public Service Pay awards teachers 13%, reports in 2002.
  • INTO accepts new national agreement "Sustaining Progress" in 2003.
  • Supervision and substitution allowance for teachers.
  • Special Education - 350 plus 660 additional posts for new system.
  • Educational Disadvantage - new DEIS initiative.
  • INTO Principals' and Deputy Principals' Committee (PDC) established.
  • Teaching Council established.
  • National Council for Special Education (NCSE) established.
  • Education Welfare Act - National Education Welfare Board (NEWB) established.
  • Benchmarking Review awards 13% to teachers.
  • INTO Rules review - Head Office restructuring.
  • Equality cases.
  • Sheila Nunan elected as General Treasurer.
  • New staffing schedule with class size reductions.