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The main measures affecting second-level schools in Budget 2012 are:

  • 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.

Read full details of education measures in Budget 2012 here.

Read information on the reform of the teacher allocation process here

 

Impact on Schools

The has ASTI published a comprehensive survey on the impact of the education cuts (including those announced as part of Budget 2012) on second-level schools.

Read the main finding and ASTI reaction here
Read the full survey 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.

Budget reaction Nuacht
Read what schools and teachers have given in austerity since 2008
Read the impact of Budget 2012 on schools and teachers
ASTI's reaction to Budget 2012 - in the media

Pre-Budget Campaign

In the run up to the Budget, the ASTI joined with the other teacher unions (IFUT, INTO, TUI) to organise a campaign to protect education. The unions named November 28th to December 2nd Education Week – a week of action and events aimed at protecting education from further cutbacks.

A nationwide lobby of TDs took place in the run up to Education Week. ASTI representatives asked TDs to protect education by voting against any plans to increase pupil-teacher ratio or reduce resources to schools.

Budget 2012 measures come on top of a range of devastating cuts made to second-level education over the last 3 years. 

Cuts to education 2009-2012 include:

  • Increase in PTR in 2009
  • Moratorium on Posts of Responsibility
  • Visiting teachers for Travellers service abolished
  • Abolition of resource teachers for Travellers
  • Withdrawal of number of English language teachers
  • Curtailment of supervision and substitution scheme
  • Redeployment of hundreds of teachers
  • Cut in the student capitation grant

Read about the impact education cuts have had on second-level schools and students

In 2009 and 2010 the ASTI undertook research into the impact of budget 2009 cutbacks on second-level schools. The research revealed that cutbacks, including an increase in pupil-teacher ratio, had significant detrimental effects on staffing levels, availability of subjects and programmes, school finances and the school community. Read the reports below.

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What Price Education 2009

What Price Education 2009

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What Price Education - One Year On

What Price Education - One Year On

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