Job Cutbacks in Primary Schools 26/02/09

Statement by John Carr, INTO General Secretary, on Job Cutbacks in Primary Schools

26th February 2009
 
Minister greatly understates the scale of government cutbacks
 
The INTO has accused the Education Minister of publishing partial information which greatly understates the scale of government cutbacks in primary schools.
 
INTO General Secretary John Carr said one clear example of this can be found in the Dublin 15 area of the capital.
 
According to information from the Department of Education and Science schools in the Dublin 15 area will lose 9 teachers. The schools concerned are:

• Scoil Bhride, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 (1)
• St. Mochta’s NS, Clonsilla, Dublin 15 (1)
  
• St. Francis Xavier, Coolmine, Castleknock, Dublin 15 (1)
• Scoil Mhuire Sin, Blakestown, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15 (1)
• Scared Heart N.S., Huntstown, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15 (1)
• Scoil Thomais, Laurel Lodge, Castleknock, Dublin 15  (3)
• Mary Mother of Hope J.N.S., Littlepace, Castaheany, Dublin 15 (1)

But the INTO says the scale of teacher job losses will be far in excess of that figure with nearly seventy additional teaching jobs likely to go.
 
According to the INTO, Dublin 15 has one of the highest concentrations of international children in the country. The union estimates that over 40% of all children enrolled in primary schools in the area are international, most of whom do not have English as a first language. As a result more than 120 teachers are employed in schools in the area to teach English to these children. Schools can employ a maximum of six teachers to teach English depending on the number of children enrolled who need English teaching. Even with this number of teachers only about 20% of international children receive additional English teaching.
 
The INTO stressed that Dublin 15 is not unique in this regard and that many other areas of the country have a significant need for English language teachers.
 
Although the Education Department has said there will be some alleviation of this proposal in schools with the highest concentrations of international children the INTO remains highly critical. The union says this commitment is “vague and unspecific and non-transparent” and “a get out clause for the Minister”.
 
“This opens the door to political favouritism and cronyism common in the school building programme,” said Carr. “It will pit schools against each other trying to persuade TDs to press their case. Teacher appointments should be made according to an open and transparent formula that meets the needs of children and not through political patronage.”
 
He said the proposal to axe up to 500 English language jobs would mean that very few schools would get more than two teachers. He said this would be devastating for schools with large numbers of international children. “The Minister must come out and reveal the true scale of the cutbacks he intends to make in this area.”
 
Mr Carr also said, “Personal and social circumstances such as gender, socio-economic status or ethnic origin should not be an obstacle to achieving a quality education. The Minister has a duty to make sure that all children reach their educational potential. To do this – schools need teachers.”
 
Potential job losses in the Dublin 15 area:

• Castaheany Educate Together, Littlepace, Clonee, D15 (3)
• Castleknock Educate Together, Beechpark Avenue, Castleknock, D15 (3)
• Ladyswell NS, Mulhuddart, D15 (4)
  
• Mary Mother of Hope JNS, Littlepace, Clonee, D15 (4)
• Mary Mother of Hope SNS, Littlepace, Clonee, D15 (1)
  
• Mulhuddart NS, Mulhuddart Village, D15 (3)
  
• Sacred Heart of Jesus NS, Huntstown, Mulhuddart, D15 (4)
  
• St. Benedict’s NS, Ongar, Clonee, D15  (3)
• SFX JNS, Roselawn Road, Castleknock, D15  (4)
  
• Scoil Mhuire Blakestown Junior, Blanchardstown, D15 (3)
  
• St. Patrick’s JNS, Corduff, Blanchardstown, D15 (4)
  
• St. Phillip’s SNS, Mountview, Clonsilla, D15 (2)
  
• St. Phillip’s JNS, Mountview, Clonsilla, D15 (2)
  
• St Thomas’ NS, Laurel Lodge, Castleknock, D15 (4)
  
• St. Brigid’s NS, Castleknock, D15  (1)
  
• St. Ciaran’s NS, Hartstown, Clonsilla, D15 (4)
  
• St. Patrick’s NS, Diswellstown, Carpenterstown, D15 (2)
  
• St. Mochta’s, Porterstown Road, Clonsilla, D15 (4)
  
• Scoil Bhride BNS, Blanchardstown, D15 (3)
  
• Scoil Bhride GNS, Blanchardstown, D15 (3)
  
• Scoil Choilm, Mill Rd, Blanchardstown, D15 (3)
  
• Scoil Ghráinne Community NS, Phibblestown, D15 (1)
  
• Tyrrelstown Education Together, Tyrrelstown, D15 (4)
  

Total : 69
 
ENDS.