Teacher Contracts

Permanent Posts

When a teacher accepts a permanent appointment in a primary school, the teacher thereby enters a contract with her/his future employer, the board of management of the school concerned. A letter of appointment and/or acceptance of the post may form part of this contract.

The contract is confirmed by the signing of a Form of Agreement. The Form of Agreement requires the teacher to give three months’ notice of intention to resign from the school or to pay three months’ salary to the board of management in lieu. It also requires the board of management to give three months’ notice of dismissal to the teacher or to pay three months’ salary in lieu. The Form of Agreement requires the teacher to abide by the Rules for National Schools.

Before signing such a form a teacher should read it and note its terms. The teacher should be given a signed copy of the form.

If any dispute arises concerning the terms of the contract during a teacher’s career s/he should immediately contact their CEC District Representative or INTO Head Office.

Fixed Term (Temporary) Teachers

In many cases, boards of management require fixed term teachers to sign contracts if the board proposes to employ the teacher for one year or longer. Fixed term teachers who have any reservations about signing a contract should immediately contact INTO Head Office or their local District Representative.

The following are the agreed contract forms for teaching posts: