ASTI - Ireland's main second level teachers union

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ASTI General Secretary this morning addressed a conference in Dublin attended by representatives from teacher unions from 30 OECD countries and representatives from school management authorities. 

Mr While told the conference of the effects of the economic crisis on Ireland’s education system including cuts in resources for education and cuts to teachers’ pay. He said sustained lobbying by teacher union representatives have protected education from further cuts in the pupil teacher ratio.  He stated that education was part of the solution to the economic crisis and should be seen as an investment in our future.

Mr White also welcomed indications that clarifications from the new Minister for Education and Skills, Tánaiste Mary Coughlan on the Croke Park deal, would assure teachers that the deal would not involve her taking ‘a machete’ to the teachers’ contract. “A key criticism of ASTI delegates at our recent Annual Convention is that the proposal to review the teacher’s contract is asking teachers to enter unknown territory without any clarity as to what such a review would entail,” said Mr White. “Clarity on this matter is vital.”

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