“The manner of this announcement – made without any consultation with the teacher unions who represent 60,000 teachers – demonstrates scant regard for the realities facing young teachers and defies normal consultation practices between the Department and unions which have been in existence for decades. We will now have the bizarre situation where young teachers who manage to find work in the coming weeks, will not know what wages they will receive.

“Unbelievably new and young teachers hoping to make ends meet by signing up to do extra Department of Education supervision and substitution work, will not be paid.

“Teachers who are appointed to promotional posts in schools at Assistant Principal level will not receive any pay for the post pending the review. Why would a competent and capable teacher apply for a senior position which encompasses a high level of responsibility when they have no idea of the remuneration?”

ASTI to hold regional meetings on junior cycle changes

The ASTI is hosting a series of regional meetings for members on the proposed changes to the junior cycle curriculum. These meetings will provide an important feedback mechanism for the ASTI, which continues to be in discussions with the Department about core aspects of the proposed changes, including changes in examination and assessment. The seminars are open to all ASTI members. For more information contact Eileen at asti.library(at)asti.ie , Tel: 01-6040170.

■ the new allocation system at second level;

■ the Croke Park Agreement – one year on; and,

■ junior cycle reform – NCCA update.

Applications to attend have been sent to all schools and must be returned to ASTI Head office by Friday, February 10th.

Teachers facing emigration
What’s wrong with league tables
Budget 2012 – what it means for you
Junior Cycle review

• ·         Gaeilge
• ·         English
• ·         Music
• ·         Art

For full details see www.examinations.ie under recruitment.

The Education (Amendment) Bill 2012 amends Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act to allow for the employment of unregistered teachers who meet minimum qualification requirements for a limited period only in certain exceptional and limited circumstances, such as to meet urgent staffing needs.

It remains the stated aim of the Minister that all teachers in schools be registered with the Teaching Council and therefore fully qualified.

The Education (Amendment) Bill 2011 is available to download here.

The ASTI is entitled to nominate two persons to the Council and there are a further seven seats for election by second-level teachers.

ASTI candidates may apply to ASTI for endorsement or nomination.

Application forms for ASTI endorsement or nomination have been sent to your branch secretary and school steward and are available here. Forms must be received in ASTI Head Office by 5.00p.m. on Friday 13th January, 2012.

This special offer means that if you are under 35 and joining the scheme for the first time, you could get the full benefits of the ASTI Salary Protection Scheme for half the normal cost until you reach your 35th birthday.

Find out more at: https://www.cornmarket.ie/asti_salary_protection_half_price_offer.htm

Following a meeting of the ASTI Standing Committee last week, ASTI General Secretary Pat King has written to the Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn urging him to “pause” his plans to proceed with Junior Cycle reform.

“The Minister himself has stated that effective educational reform can only be implemented at a pace which the system can sustain,” said the ASTI’s Pat King. “What teachers are saying is that after more than three years of education cuts, the second-level education system has been weakened to the extent that the significant reform contained in the Junior Cycle reform proposals is currently unfeasible.”

Second-level schools engage in continuous educational reform, said Mr King. For example, the implementation of the National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy (2011-2020) will be rolled out in the coming months and will impact on all areas of the school curriculum. This initiative includes the revision of syllabi, the introduction of new teaching and learning techniques in the classroom, and teachers administering and collating new standardised assessment tests for all students on a regular basis. These and other reforms are being implemented in an environment which is being further drained of resources including personnel and funding.

Prior to Budget 2012 the ASTI expressed its concerns to the Minister regarding the Junior Cycle reform proposals including the lack of detail about what the reform proposals would mean for schools and how they would be implemented. Concern amongst teachers over Junior Cycle reform has increased following the Budget 2012 announcements that 700 second-level teaching posts are to go in 2012, that teacher numbers are to be cut again in 2013, and that funding for schools is to be cut by 6% over the next four years.

“Teachers are eager to contribute to reform which is educationally sound and which improves their students’ experience of education,” said Pat King. “However, for something as important as the Junior Cycle and which involves a State exam, it is vital that the reform works and that it is not just change for the sake of change. To implement such complex and significant reform at a time when all second-level schools are overstretched and many are near breaking point would be damaging for students, schools and the second-level education service.”

“The most effective next step the Minister can take towards meaningful educational reform is to begin to undo the most savage of the education cuts.”

Prior to the issuing of the Circular, the ASTI made strong representations to the Department stating  that teachers currently undertaking academic courses which began before the Budget 2012 announcement have a legitimate expectation to receive the allowances that were available when they signed up for further study.

The ASTI also stated that the changes are unfair and will discourage teachers from engaging in further study.

Qualification allowances are paid to teachers for their Degree and PGDE/ H.Dip. They are also payable to those who undertake additional study such as a Masters or PhD. Such qualifications are beneficial not only for individual teachers but for entire school communities including students. They are particularly valuable to teachers in light of the moratorium on Posts of Responsibility in second-level schools which means there are no promotional opportunities for the vast majority of second-level teachers. Capping qualification allowances for new teachers and removing allowances for existing teachers looking to up-skill, will be a major deterrent because of the personal and financial commitments required by those undertaking such courses.

The ASTI has also objected to the Circular on the basis that it is yet another attack on young teachers entering the teaching profession who earn approximately 14% less than their colleagues and will soon be forced to join an inferior pension scheme which will see them pay more towards their pensions than they will ever receive in pension benefits.

In addition the ASTI has stated that teachers currently undertaking academic courses which began before the Budget 2012 announcement, have a legitimate expectation that they will receive the allowances that were available when they signed up for further study.

Department Circular 70/2011 – key points

• The Circular confirms that existing teachers will continue to receive their existing allowances.
• Teachers who enter teaching on or after December 5^th, 2011 will be subject to a cap on allowances equivalent to the Honours Degree Allowance (currently €4,426).
• Existing teachers who receive/ have received additional qualifications, such as a Masters, on or after December 5, 2011 will not receive additional allowances.
• With regard to teachers who recently completed courses and received results before December 5^th, these teachers will be entitled to receive allowances in respect of those qualifications (so long as the college they attended can certify that the teacher held the qualification before December 5^th).
• With regard to teachers who were undertaking courses before December 5th, 2011 (for example, teachers engaged in courses during the 2011/2012 academic year), the Department of Education and Skills has not made a final decision in relation to these teachers. Department Circular 70/2011 states: “The position of teachers who, on December 5^th 2011, were undertaking courses will be considered in the context of the public service-wide review of allowances announced in Budget 2012”.
• Retired teachers who return to teaching on or after December 5^th 2011 will be subject to a cap on allowances equivalent to the Honours Degree Allowance (currently €4,426).

The ASTI is engaged in discussions with the INTO and TUI about a joint union response to the Circular.

For more on Budget 2012 click here.

the ex-quota guidance counselling allocation for second-level schools. The ASTI is demanding the immediate restoration of ex-quota guidance provision.

The union has written to the Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn. Click here to read letter.

The “Pre 2011” Salary Scale is applicable to all teachers who entered service prior to January 1 2011.

The “Post 2011” Salary Scale is applicable to all teachers who entered service since January 1 2011.

BUDGET 2012 changes:

The 2012 ASTI Diary was printed before Budget 2012 was announced. This means that changes to qualification allowances are not included. Changes to qualification allowances do not affect allowances being paid at present to existing teachers. However, teachers will not be paid any additional allowance if they acquire any further qualification. In addition, for newly appointed teachers, the maximum amount payable in qualification allowances cannot exceed the amount payable for an honours degree (€4,426).

More comprehensive information on salaries and allowances is available at http://www.asti.ie/pay-and-conditions/pay/salary-scales/ .

• Budget 2012 - education measures and ASTI response
• Teaching Council elections
• Re-employment of mid-year retirees

This measure does not affect allowances being paid to existing teachers. However existing teachers who acquire additional qualifications in future will not be paid allowances in respect of these qualifications. 

The ASTI has written to the Department of Education and Skills in relation to those teachers who have recently completed a course of study but are not yet in receipt of the applicable allowance or those who are currently taking such a course of study.

In correspondence the ASTI insisted that these teachers undertook studies in good faith and we believe they have a legitimate expectation that they should be entitled to the allowance on successful completion of their studies.

We will update members on this issue as soon as we receive a response from the Department.

Among those who may be affected are:

• teachers who pay Class A PRSI and who were on maternity Leave or Sick Leave in 2007
• widows and widowers who paid Health Levy
• teachers who haven't claimed tax credits for work expenses, health expenses, union subscriptions, service charges and other reliefs

The tax credits, allowances and reliefs available in 2007 were far more generous than those available in 2011.

For information on claiming your tax credits for 2007 visit www.revenue.ie.

• a requirement for second-level schools to manage guidance provision from within their existing pupil-teacher ratio allocations;
• 700 teaching posts to go in 2012;
• General reduction in capitation grants by 2% in both 2012 and 2013 and a further 1% in both 2014 and 2015;
• 1-point increase in PTR for fee-charging second-level schools from 2012/2013, from 20:1 to 21:1
• the phased withdrawal from 2012 of supports in some schools from earlier disadvantage schemes, pre-dating the current DEIS educational disadvantage programme.
• The maximum amount payable to new entrants to teaching through qualification allowances cannot exceed the amount payable for an honours degree – €4,426. This measure does not affect allowances being paid at present to existing teachers. However existing teachers who acquire additional qualifications in future will not be paid allowances in respect of these qualifications.
  

  An implementation date for introduction of changes to qualification allowances has not been clarified and the ASTI is in contact with the DES about this matter.

Read full details of education measures in Budget 2012 here.
Read information on the reform of the teacher allocation process here

ASTI reaction

ASTI tells Minister cuts will have profound effect on second-level education

The ASTI has written to the Minister for Education and Skills expressing its dismay at the subsuming of the Career Guidance Counsellor teacher allocation into the overall teacher allocation. In effect, this means an increase in the pupil teacher ratio of almost one at second level. It means that most second-level schools will lose at least one teacher.

Click here to view ASTI’s letter to Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn.

ASTI says young people’s futures further compromised by Budget 2012

In a press release issued after the Budget was announced the ASTI said the axing of 700 teaching jobs means most schools will lose a teacher. This, together with other budget measures, will have a profound negative impact on schools and students. 

Click here to read the full press release.

Complete and send your entry to ‘ASTIR Crossword No. 1105, Think Media, The Malthouse, 537 North Circular Road, Dublin 1’ to be in with a chance to win €200!

“It is unthinkable that at a time of high unemployment and when the Government is publicly stating that its number one priority is jobs, an education service which is designed to help young people secure sustainable jobs and careers would be targeted.”

Pat King described the current provision of Career Guidance Counsellors to schools as “paltry”.

“As recently as January, the ERSI published a study which found a high level of concern amongst parents at the lack of access to Career Guidance services in second-level schools. In addition the state agency Forfás, has repeatedly emphasised the need for adequate levels of career guidance services in order to ensure students’ can make informed vocational / career choices at both Junior and Senior Cycle level.”

Decimating school-based support system for students

The axing of Guidance Counsellors would further decimate school-based support systems for students, warned Pat King.

“Guidance Counsellors provide vital supports for students from 12 to 18 years of age. Often the school’s Guidance Counsellor is the only access a young person has to a support and referral service for problems ranging from emotional issues, to sexual health concerns, to learning difficulties. Pastoral care supports in the form of Year Heads have already been virtually wiped out in second-level schools due to a moratorium. The axing of Guidance Counselling services would be the final nail in the coffin for student support services in many schools. Thousands of vulnerable students would be in serious danger of slipping through the cracks.”

Ends

You must sign up to this course before 31 December to avail of the free offer and you will have until January 31 to complete one module of the programme. Access to the course, which normally costs €250, will be open until March 2012 but places are limited.

For more read the latest ASTIR or see www.i-cando.ie

This special offer means that new customers could get the full benefits of the ASTI Salary Protection Scheme for half the normal cost until their 35th birthday.

The Scheme will:

• Give you the means to safeguard your salary this year and all future years.
• Protect your salary against any illness or injury that would result in you not being able to continue working after your sick pay runs out.

Click here to find out more

“Education cuts don’t heal. Their effect on individuals can be lifelong. They have a detrimental impact on society and the economy.

“There is a myth that increasing the pupil-teacher ratio by one means an extra one or two students in a class. What it actually means for second-level schools is the dropping of classes and, for some schools, the dropping of subjects and programmes. This is what happened when the pupil-teacher ratio was increased in 2009.”

“Optional subjects such as physics, chemistry and German are under threat and may be dropped by schools,” continued Pat King “This will damage students’ career options and job prospects. Even in the best case scenario, where a school holds on to its current subjects and programmes, it will be forced to merge honours and ordinary level classes for key subjects such as maths. Merged classes, which are already a significant feature in second-level schools, lead to a diminished learning environment for every student in the class.

“Sustainable economic recovery is dependent on young people having the right skills set for a knowledge economy. This is what the Finns decided in the 1990s when the country went into deep recession and unemployment soared. The Government invested in its education service and Finland emerged from the recession with a first class education system.

“When a school is forced to drop a subject like physics or chemistry, hundreds of young people in that school face diminished career choices and job opportunities. As more schools drop vital subjects, Ireland’s development as a first class knowledge economy drifts further out of reach.”

The meeting, held in the Gresham Hotel, Dublin, was addressed by Ritva Semi from the OAJ Education Union in Finland and Ciaran Sugrue, Professor of Education at UCD.

Ends

PRESS RELEASE 

Monday, November 28^th 2011

Education cuts: Parents’ deepest fears

A representative for parents of second-level students has said further education cuts will push many schools to breaking point.

Speaking at the launch of the Post-Primary Education Forum (PPEF) pre-budget submission today, the President of the National Parents’ Council Post Primary, Tommy Walshe said: “The impression that schools are coping with education cuts is a false one. After three years of cuts I think you could say that every second-level school in the country is struggling. Parents are extremely concerned about this.”

The PPEF is a forum involving the National Parents’ Council, management associations and teachers in the post primary sector. The forum campaigns on issues of common concern to the education partners.

“It is unthinkable that this situation would be made worse by the Government increasing the pupil-teacher ratio or reducing funding for schools in Budget 2012,” said Mr Walshe.

Mr Walshe explained that there have been cuts to the per-capita grant and other grants to schools every year since Budget 2009: “As a result, an increasing proportion of total annual expenditure in a post-primary school must be raised through fund-raising in the local school community. Much of this work is done by parent volunteers. In the current economic crisis such levels of fund-raising are no longer sustainable.”

An increase in the pupil-teacher ratio in 2009 has also had a devastating impact on schools, according to the President of the National Parents’ Council (Post Primary). “At this time of rising second-level school population, there has been a serious increase in class sizes. This has impacted heavily on all students, but most especially on those who require additional support and assistance.”

“The importance of education to our past and our future economic well-being has been emphasised again and again; not only by parents, teachers and schools, but by economists, politicians and business leaders.”

“The cost of short-termism in educational investment will be staggering. Education is not only an investment in our children; it is an investment which benefits all of society for generations. It costs €77,222 to keep a single prisoner for one year and the stark statistic that 90% of prisoners in the State are early school leavers should speak for itself.”

Ends

For more information contact Jim Moore, National Parents’ Council Post Primary at 087 2858278 or Gemma Tuffy, Communications Officer, ASTI at 087/2434748.

The 10 deepest cuts

Education has come under attack in the last three budgets. The deepest cuts for second-level students, parents, teachers, and schools have been:

 -          An increase in the pupil-teacher ratio

 -          The loss of subjects and programmes and increases in class sizes

 -          A moratorium on posts of responsibility; teacher posts which involve pastoral
           care work are disappearing from schools

-          Reductions in funding for schools (capitation grant)

-          The loss of extra-curricular activities (football, musicals, camera clubs, etc) due to
           resource pressures

-          Withdrawal of many English-language teachers

-          Abolition of resource teachers for Travellers and visiting teachers for Travellers

-          Curtailment of a supervision/ substitution scheme which schools rely on for school
           excursions/ educational trips

-          Increase in the cost to parents of school transport for students

-          Reduction in supports for students with special needs.

Click here for full Post-primary Education Forum: Pre Budget Submission 2012.

Payroll Issue Dates: 15th December 2011

                             22nd December 2011*

                             12th January 2012

* Please Note: The only change to the Post-Primary payroll dates is that a payment will now be issued on December 22nd 2011, which is one week earlier than scheduled. All other paydates are as normal.

Speakers will include Ritva Semi from OAJ Education Trade Union in Finland and Ciaran Sugrue Professor of Education at UCD.

You can book your place here.

“League tables which focus solely on college and university entry ignore the fact that a school that empowers a pupil to attain a pass grade in a subject, or to complete the Junior Certificate or the Leaving Certificate, has contributed as much or more as another school that empowers a pupil to attain A grades.

“The best type of school is one which provides a broad and holistic education which seeks to empower all students, of all levels of ability, from all kinds of backgrounds, and who face all kinds of challenges in their young lives.

“League tables treat students as one homogenous group rather than as unique individuals, each with their own set of goals, interests, talents, abilities and life experiences.

“League tables are damaging to education because they can distort the priorities of schools as teachers come under pressure to jettison aspects of holistic education which do not contribute to an improvement in a school’s position on the league table.

“If we want to improve the quality of education in our schools, then we must provide adequate funding and resources. Even before the recent education cuts Ireland was investing less of its GDP in education than all but three out of 28 OECD countries. It has never been more necessary to protect schools and education. Sustainable economic recovery depends on it.”

Ends