NOVEMBER 2015 news Vol.38 / no.3 - Teachers' Union of Ireland
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Vol.38 / no.3
NOVEMBER 2015
new s
teachers’ union of ireland / AONTAS MúiNTEOiRí éiREANN
t u i neWs
contents stand up! against
p.3 A Word From homophobic and
transphobic bullying
The President
p.4 Junior Cycle
ballot Stand Up! Week tackles homophobic and
transphobic bullying by increasing awareness,
p.5 Lansdowne friendship and support for LGBT students by
Road other students. Schools find stand up! Week
Agreement (23rd-27th november 2015) very useful in
update helping them to meet the requirements of the
DES Anti-Bullying Procedures.
p.6 institute News
BeLonG To’s Stand Up! campaign was identified
p.10 Congress 2016 as one of the key actions schools can take under
the Government’s National Action Plan on
p.12 1916 art Bullying. Funded by the Department of
competition Education and Skills, the National Office for
Suicide Prevention(HSE) and the Department of
p.14 No substitute Children and Youth Affairs, the campaign calls on
for the good young people across ireland to support their
teacher LGBT friends.
p.20 Teachers for Dr Carol-Anne O’Brien BeLonG To’s Director
Equality of Advocacy says that Stand Up! tackles bullying
“by bringing a positive message of friendship to
p.22 TUi Education all students. it also tells LGBT young people
Conference that they are not alone, and they do not have
2016 to suffer or witness homophobic or
transphobic bullying in their schools.”
p.26 Budget 2016
CPD sessions have been organised and will be
p.31 RMA News delivered by senior staff from BeLonG To, who
will be very open to questions and discussions.
p.32 Crossword The remaining session takes place at
Dublin’sWest Education Centre, Monday,
16th November, 7-9pm See www.belongto.org
EDiTORiAL PRODUCTiON
Annette Dolan David Duffy TUI News is published by the
Deputy General Secretary Education & Research Officer Teachers’ Union of ireland.
adolan@tui.ie dduffy@tui.ie Aontas Múinteoirí Éireann,
73 Orwell Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6.
Declan Glynn
Gerry Quinn Assistant General Secretary Nadia Johnston
President dglynn@tui.ie Administrative Officer T: 01-492 2588 F: 01-492 2953
president@tui.ie njohnston@tui.ie E: tui@tui.ie W: www.tui.ie
Aidan Kenny
Joanne irwin Assistant General Secretary
Printed by:
Vice-President akenny@tui.ie Conor Griffin
Press & Information Officer Typecraft Ltd.
vicepresident@tuimail.ie
Michael Gillespie cgriffin@tui.ie
Assistant General Secretary
John MacGabhann mgillespie@tui.ie
General Secretary Muireann O’ Toole
jmacgabhann@tui.ie Colm Kelly Workplace Organiser
Assistant General Secretary motoole@tui.ie
ckelly@tui.ie
2 november 2015 - TUi NEWS
A Word from
Make education an The President
election issue -
campaign against exploitation
TUi’s recent emphatic rejection of the sector workers who have accepted the election candidates arriving at their
Lansdowne Road Agreement (LRA) LRA. The punitive measures contained in doorsteps canvasing for votes. This is a
proposals - 92% No on a nearly 60% the Financial Emergency Measures in the perfect opportunity for you to raise our
turnout - represents a clear call for action Public interest (FEMPi) Bill 2015, only issues and ask them to support education
on the problems which are troubling our published as our recent ballot concluded, sectoral talks to have our issues, as outlined
profession and education provision. We have are designed to force us into the LRA above, addressed. Remind them that we
said that we will honour our commitments without having our grievances addressed. were not given the opportunity to deal with
under the Haddington Road Agreement The threat, for example, to freeze pay these problems during the talks that led to
until next summer. What happens beyond increments until 2018, is draconian and not the LRA proposals. Remind them that
that point depends on what progress, or what is expected from a democratic state. education is the engine of our economy and
otherwise, is made on resolving the ongoing This is compounded by the reference to an inspiration for our creativity, culture and
issues. “Financial Emergency” which flies in the face citizenship. Remind them that equality in
of the government’s narrative of economic society is not possible if our education
These issues go to the very heart of our recovery. TUi has written to every TD and system is not equitable, with fair practices
purpose as a trade union and must continue Senator objecting strongly to the punitive for educators and students alike. And, finally,
to be addressed until they are resolved. provisions of the FEMPi Bill and seeking remind them of their responsibility with
they include cuts to education their amendment. We have also sought a regard to all of these matters.
funding, staffing provision in third commitment that the Public Service Pension
level, unfair and unsustainable Reduction (PSPR), be removed for all of our Youthreach
workloads, the crisis of young retired colleagues. TUi members in Youthreach centres will be
teachers/lecturers struggling with balloted in the coming weeks on the
low incomes, the managerialist While the Executive Committee will seek “Operator Guidelines for the Youthreach
approach to the implementation of to ensure that all of our members are programme”. There is legitimate concern
the croke Park hours and the protected from punitive measures, none of among our members regarding these
absence of a career structure for these threats will deter us from our guidelines because they potentially could
many of our members in the further campaign to have our grievances addressed. give rise to increased workload and a
education sector. Educationalists are the Over the coming weeks and months, TUi requirement to conduct specialised work
foundation on which our education system will lobby politicians and others who can without the necessary training. The ballot
is built and an injury to us is also an injury influence government policy, use media will ask members to provide the Executive
to the students we teach. The message, that opportunities to highlight the problems, Committee with the required mandate,
the effectiveness of our education system is stage protests and will ballot members for under the industrial Relations Acts, to issue
inseparable from the treatment of our industrial action up to and including strike appropriate directives in order to safeguard
profession, must be made loud and clear. We action. Given the new legislative TUi members from exploitation in
also require written clarification of verbal requirements set out in the Regulation of Youthreach centres. it is important,
commitments that paragraphs 3.2 and 4 in Lobbying Act 2015, advice on how to lobby therefore, that our workplace
the LRA proposals will not curtail our local General Election candidates will issue representatives and committees work to
ability to take industrial action. to Branches from TUi Head Office. it is ensure a high turnout and a strong ‘YES’
important that such advice is followed at all vote for industrial action.
None of us should be in any doubt about times (See box below also).
the scale of the challenge we face. TUi
members are entitled to pay restoration, While not all of our members will be
albeit partial, as much as those other public lobbying, the majority of members will have
An important note on lobbying
Under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, a designated official in TUi Head Office is responsible for making a return every four
months in respect of lobbying carried out on behalf of TUi.
TUi is requesting that members, specifically on behalf of the union, lobby politicians prior to the general election on the range of
issues highlighted in bold in A Word From The President above.
in order to assist TUi Head Office in compiling returns under the lobbying legislation, we would greatly appreciate, if, once you have
lobbied a designated public official (i.e. your local politician), that you email TUi Head Office at lobbying@tuimail.ie setting out:
(a) the name/s of the politician/s you lobbied,
(b) the subject matter on which you lobbied and
(c) the method of lobbying used by you (face to face meeting/informal meeting/telephone call/letter/email/social media)
In addition to completing and returning your ballot paper,
please complete the petition to the Minister on the back cover of this magazine.
www.tui.ie - TUi NEWS 3
tui neWs
tui members vote to accept
Junior cycle reform proposals
Following a lengthy and eventful campaign that involved two days’ strike action, TUI
members have voted in a ballot to accept proposals for Junior Cycle reform following
negotiations between the unions and the Department of Education and Skills.
Members voted in favour of acceptance of the negotiated document by a margin of 69%
to 31% on a turnout of 60%.
July. At its next meeting in August, the (effective from April 7th 2014) was
Executive Committee of the TUi lifted and the TUi is no longer in dispute
80
Total Poll: 59.71%
recommended acceptance of the with the DES regarding Junior Cycle.
70
proposals. Ballot papers issued on
60
50
September 9th with a return date of Of course, if other issues, including
40
69% September 23rd. educational issues, arise in the course of
30 implementation, they will be addressed
20
31% The full document issued to all by the union in an appropriate manner
10
members with an involvement in Junior through the available fora, such as the
0
Cycle and the September edition of TUi implementation Committee.
News provided full information on why
Yes No
Speaking on the day that the that the it is TUi’s understanding that the Junior
the union was recommending
ballot result was made public – Cycle for Teachers (JCT) support
acceptance of the proposals. in addition,
September 24th - TUi President, Gerry service will commence continuing
regional meetings were held around the
Quinn said that the negotiated professional development (CPD) in
country to explain and discuss any
document ‘provides for reinstatement November, with an initial focus on
aspect of the proposals. Text messages
of a fully externally assessed, state English. Whole school CPD (as per
urging engagement on the issues were
certified Junior Certficate examination Circular Letter 20/14) will also be
sent to members. A series of short
and professional time is provided for available to schools.
video messages from the President,
teachers. Therefore, our key objectives
outlining various aspects of the union’s in their ballot (issued without
were attained.’
position, were also recorded and recommendation), ASTi members
At all times, the TUi delegation promoted. rejected the proposals. in light of the
approached the exhaustive negotiations fact that the ASTi is still in dispute on
TUi members decided in a ballot that
seeking to improve second level the issue, the Minister has instructed
their key, complementary concerns have
education while protecting teachers that, in the first instance, the CPD will
been appropriately addressed.
from exploitation. in May, the Executive be provided in the ETB sector only. TUi
Committee of the union decided that a The principled position of TUi members remains in close contact with our
negotiated document – Joint Statement has been protected and the document colleagues in the ASTi and will continue
on Principles and implementation – explicitly acknowledges that significant to work together to ensure that there
formed the basis for a ballot of change must be appropriately resourced is mutual understanding of and respect
members, subject to further negotiation from the start. for our respective positions in this
on time and resources. Following regard.
intensive further discussions between
Members will be kept advised and
TUi and ASTi representatives and the
What happens now? informed of any arising developments in
Department of Education and Skills
Subsequent to acceptance of the relation of the implementation of Junior
(DES), an agreement on time and
proposals by members, the TUi Cycle reforms.
resources for the implementation of the
directive on non-cooperation with the
new Junior Cycle was reached in early
Junior Cycle Framework Proposals
4 november 2015 - TUi NEWS
tui neWs
tui emphatically rejects
lansdowne road agreement
TUI members have emphatically rejected the LRA by a margin
of 92% on a turnout of over 59%.
placed on discriminatory, differentiated
pay scales. To continue to attract the best
100
Total Poll: 59.27%
graduates to the profession, and to allow TUi PRESiDENT GERRY QUiNN ExPLAiNS
young teachers and lecturers to develop REASONS FOR TUi REJECTiON OF LRA iN
80
sustainable careers, we need to return to MEDiA iNTERViEW
92% a position where all appointments are on
60
a permanent and full-time basis, as is the agreed in principle to have appropriate
sectoral ballots for industrial action, up to
40
case in other areas of the public service.
20
Additional measures are urgently required and including strike action. Such industrial
to address this dire situation for the action would be used if no progress was
thousands of teachers currently affected. otherwise made on our grievances.
0
Yes No
TUi had campaigned vigorously for a ‘No’ However, the best course for all
At third level, where TUi represents concerned would be to make meaningful
vote, with regional information meetings members in institutes of Technology, there
arranged to outline the union’s position. progress through direct robust
has been a 34% decrease in funding for engagement with the Department. The
Video messages from President Gerry the sector since 2008. in the same period
Quinn were recorded and promoted, text TUi, as always, is open to such
of time, lecturer numbers have fallen by engagement.
messages were sent to members and a 10% and student numbers have risen by
special bulletin of TUi News was also over 20%. This has resulted in a
produced. As a result of a postal dispute,
the closing date for receipt of completed
significantly diminished service for
haddington road
students. At second level, teachers are
ballot papers was extended to Wednesday, frustrated and disillusioned by the agreement
October 14th. increasingly bureaucratic and Meanwhile, TUi is party to the
The union described the message given by administrative workload that deflects Haddington Road Agreement, our
members as being ‘absolutely unequivocal’ them away from teaching and learning. members are meeting their commitments
and stated that the LRA completely fails Adding further to this is the fact that and we expect the Government to
to address critical issues that are teachers who have entered the profession honour its commitments in this regard.
swamping the education system. since February 2012 are paid on a lower,
discriminatory scale.
Key to these is the atrocious plight of Punitive measures in
young teachers and lecturers, who in
new feMPi Bill
many cases struggle in poverty as a result executive committee in this context it is regrettable that the
of low hours and insecure employment.
commits to campaign punitive measures contained in the new
The union has relentlessly highlighted that of action Financial Emergency Measures in the
almost one third of TUi members at Public interest (FEMPi) Bill 2015 are
At its meeting following the ballot result,
second level (and up to half of those unfair, heavy-handed and hugely
the Executive Committee of the union
under 35) are in temporary/part time disproportionate in their specific targeting
committed itself to a campaign of action
employment, with many experiencing of educationalists.
to address key issues such as
income poverty as a result. To compound differentiated pay scales/casualisation and
this inequality, new entrants to the Members will be kept fully updated on
funding at third level. in this regard it was any developments in this regard.
profession since February 2012 have been
www.tui.ie - TUi NEWS 5
institute neWs
tui meets hea as part of
academic gender equality
campaign
Ms Geoghegan-Quinn welcomed TUi’s
comments and inputs into the process
and said that she and her colleagues are
very keen to make sure that their
recommendations are radical, actionable
quickly and that they make a real
change to the work of women in 3rd
level academic and administrative
functions. She said that, “This will be a
comprehensive, system-wide review of
gender-profiles and gender-equality
policies, inclusive of all higher education
institutions in receipt of funding from
the HEA”.
Contributions were also received from
SiPTU, iFUT and UNiTE, whose
representatives also provided
suggestions as to the nature of the
TUi met with former European helping organisations improve their current difficulties and how they might
Commissioner Maire Geoghegan-Quinn talent base and diversity, and Paul best be addressed. Ms Geoghegan-
on October 19th in the Higher Walton, Professor of Chemistry at the Quinn thanked all who contributed and
Education Authority (HEA) offices to University of York, UK, where his said that her review group hoped to
discuss the TUi’s research into third Department became the first ever report in June 2016.
level academic gender inequality. Ms Athena SWAN gold award winner for
Geoghegan-Quinn is head of an gender equality. if you would like to provide
independent review group in this area comments, figures or
and a TUi delegation briefed her and it was explained to Ms Geoghegan- suggestions to tui’s own
the other members of the group on the Quinn and the other members of the research please submit these to
TUi’s own research in this area. review group that at its 2015 Annual dr Joe Macdonagh at
Congress, TUi had passed a motion to joemacdonagh@yahoo.ie.
As well as Ms Geoghegan-Quinn, the examine the level of academic gender Contributions from all sections of the
review panel comprises the following inequality in the institute of Technology membership are welcome, but
four members: Pat O’Connor, Professor sector. Dr Joe MacDonagh, Chartered particularly from those in the third level
of Sociology and Social Policy at UL and Psychologist and former President of sector with direct experience of
the author of the recent publication, the Psychological Society of ireland, academic gender inequality and from
‘Management and Gender in Higher who lectures in iT Tallaght, has been those who have inputs which could
Education’; Helen Peterson, Associate asked by the TUi to carry out this enhance the recommendations which
Professor in Sociology at Uppsala research.His report will be presented TUi will make in this important report.
University and Senior Lecturer at the to the 2016 TUi Annual Congress. TUi is As well as being presented to Annual
Department of Sociology and Work particularly concerned at the very Congress 2016, the main findings will be
Science at the University of significant differences between different made available to the membership in
Gothenburg, Sweden; Ryan Shanks, institutes in terms of representation of this publication and online.
Head of Strategy Practice at Accenture women at management grades.
ireland, who has global experience in
6 november 2015 - TUi NEWS
institute neWs
higher education in crisis
due to funding cuts
$ $ $ $ $ $ $
$ $ $$
The higher education sector in ireland is at breaking point $
due to severe funding cuts, a substantial increase in student
numbers and a significant reduction in academic staff
numbers. The combination of these three factors is putting
$
the sector at risk of a dramatic collapse in quality and
standards. Whatever our misgivings about such gradings,
$
evidence of the ongoing decline of the sector as a result of
resource starvation is starkly set out in the recent QS
$
World University rankings.
$
The austerity policies pursued by the government from
2008 to 2015 have resulted in a 38% reduction in core grant $
funding for the higher education sector (university, institute
of technology and colleges). The Employment Control $
Framework, which includes an embargo on employment, has
resulted in the loss of 2,000 staff. The crisis is compounded
by the increase in demand for higher education, with $
enrolments of full-time students up by 25% and expected to $
continue to rise sharply for the next few years at least.
Under these circumstances, higher education institutions
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the student experience of higher education with
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There is now an urgent need for substantial additional
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sector. This would facilitate the recruitment of more
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to provide additional funding for frontline lecturing activities
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learning is, after all, the raisons d’être of the institutes.
www.tui.ie - TUi NEWS 7
institute neWs
continued growth in apprenticeship
recruitment
Apprenticeship recruitment figures show million to assist in the development and However, we are concerned about the
signs of continued annual growth, from a provision of twenty six new lack of understanding and
low of 1,203 in 2010 to an expected apprenticeship programmes as part of acknowledgement of the central role our
3,000 by the end of 2015. This will Budget 2016. The total funding allocation members play in the provision and
represent an increase of 1,797 new for apprenticeship programmes for 2016 development of a high quality system.
recruits to the designated trade areas will be €60 million. While this is welcome, Specifically, we find the composition of
under the standard based apprenticeship there is a need to provide additional the Apprenticeship Council to be
system. Growth is high in Agricultural resources to the institutes of technology unacceptable. The union believes the
Mechanics, Motor Mechanics and Vehicle to fully facilitate the huge growth in Council currently lacks the required level
Body Repair. Meanwhile, other trades demand. of educational expertise and in-depth
such as Heavy Vehicle Mechanics and As always, TUi has indicated its willingness knowledge of apprentice education and
Construction Plant Fitting have reached to work proactively in the development that representatives of the union should
their average growth. Growth is also of apprenticeship with the Department of be appointed as a matter of urgency.
evident in Carpentry, Refrigeration, Education and Skills and other bodies.
Electric instrumentation, Metal
Fabrication and Sheet Metal Work.
This year-on-year growth in
apprenticeship recruitments is a welcome
trend. TUi members in the institutes of
technology have indicated that they have
the necessary capacity in terms of
workshops to meet the needs of the
growing demand. They also have the high
levels of skills and expertise required to
assure the quality provision of
programmes.
new apprenticeship
programmes
in October, the Minister for Education
and Skills announced an additional €10.5
iMPortant notice
teachers with conditional registration
The Teaching Council has commenced a been granted, your registration will lapse if you face difficulty in meeting the
review of conditions attached to and your pay will be stopped. deadline or if there is any genuine reason
teachers’ registrations. Letters have been that you cannot meet the deadline (e.g.
issued to all teachers whose conditions You can check the conditions attached to maternity leave, career break,
have an expiry date of 31 December your registration, and the deadlines for unemployment etc.) please contact the
2015. meeting the conditions, by logging on to Teaching Council as you may be eligible to
the Registered Teacher Login service on apply for an extension.
if you have received a letter or email www.teachingcouncil.ie
from the Teaching Council in relation to All queries should be emailed to the
conditions, please act upon it immediately. if you have already addressed a condition Teaching Council at
in full, please send the relevant conditions@teachingcouncil.ie or
if all conditions are not met within the documents to the Teaching Council call Lo-Call 1890 224 224
specified timeframe, and no extension has without delay.
8 november 2015 - TUi NEWS
Bring the world
into your classroom…
bring your class into the
NEW Irish Aid Centre in
Clonmel Street, Dublin 2
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E anamaria.barbu@dfa.ie
anamaria.barbu @ dfa.ie www.irishaid.ie
www.irishaid.ie
tui neWs
important dates for
congress 2016
24th September 2015 8th March 2016(R)
Nomination forms for elections issued. The Final Agenda will issue; also the General Secretary’s
Report; Balance Sheet and Financial Statement; names of
22nd December 2015(R) delegates to Congress and the Branches represented.
Last date for receipt of motions from Branches, Executive
Committee and Security Fund Committee to Head Office for 22nd March 2016(R)
submission to Standing Orders Committee. Last date for receipt of questions on the Annual Report and
Annual Accounts.
8th January 2016
Last date for receipt of nominations for positions of Vice- 29th March 2016 CONGRESS OPENS
President and for Area Representatives for the following areas: note:
Rule 13 (ii) which reads as follows determines the number of
area: 1 Wicklow, Kildare, Laois and Carlow delegates:
3 Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath
5 Tipperary N.R., Clare and Limerick City “One delegate from each Branch of which the members in
7 Kerry, Limerick County benefit do not exceed thirty and one delegate for each
9 Cork City and Cork County fraction of thirty, as per the following table:
11 Galway City, Galway County and Mayo
13 C&C Schools in Counties Cavan, Dublin, Kildare, Members delegates
Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Wicklow 1 - 30 1
15 Third Level Colleges – Dublin (excluding City), 31 - 60 2
Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Meath, Kildare, Offaly, 61 - 90 3
Laois, Wicklow, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford 91 - 120 4
17 Third Level Colleges - Cork, Tipperary and WiT 121 - 150 5
19 Third Level Colleges – Kerry, Limerick, Clare, 151 - 180 6
Galway, Mayo. and so on”.
25th January 2016 in-benefit members for the purpose of arriving at the number
issue of ballot papers for elections of delegates to the Annual Congress are fully paid-up
members for the month of December whose subscriptions
26th January 2016(R) have been received by the General Secretary on or before the
Preliminary agenda will issue to Branches last Friday in February, i.e. Friday, 26th February 2016.
9th February 2016(R) 3rd May 2016
Last date for receipt of: Last date for receipt of nominations for the position of
■ amendments to Preliminary Agenda President.
■ order of priority for motions in each section
■ names of delegates to Congress 9th May 2016
Ballot papers for election of President will issue.
12th February 2016
Last date for receipt of annual election ballot papers
24th May 2016
Last date for receipt of ballot papers for Presidential election.
(R) Rule
10 november 2015 - TUi NEWStui neWs
annual congress 2016
29th-31st March 2016
Congress 2016 will take place in Killarney, Co. Kerry.
It will be held in the INEC and the Gleneagle Hotel.
the Malton hotel
Tel: 064 6638000 Email res@themalton.com Quote
“TUi”
B&B €130 per person twin/double
€95 single
Children sharing Under 4 years free of charge
with two adults: 5 to 12 years - €25
B&B accommodation:
There are a number of B&B Houses close to the iNEC.
Killarney Tourist Office will be happy to give you names and
contact numbers should any members require B&B
accommodation.
reservations
Reservations for accommodation during Annual Congress can Reservations should be made directly with the hotels. There
be made with the following hotels: are no booking forms required.
the Gleneagle hotel
Tel: 064 6671550 Email info@gleneaglehotel.com crèche
B&B €55 per person twin/double A crèche under professional supervision will be provided by
€85 single the Aquila Club, located in the Gleneagle Hotel. Further
Apartments 2 people sharing B&B €130 information regarding the crèche, including application forms,
3 people sharing B&B €175 will be sent to you at a later date.
4 people sharing B&B €210
Special rates also will be offered for Saturday 26th, Sunday Meals at congress
27th and Thursday 31st March in the Gleneagle and its sister All meals will be available in the iNEC complex i.e. lunch and
hotel the Brehon. Please check with the hotels for further an evening meal.
details.
Bookings must be
made before
31st December 2015
to avail of
the above rates.
www.tui.ie - TUi NEWS 11t u i neWs
1916 art competition for
students in tui workplaces!
As part of TUi’s 1916 commemorations, a 13-15 years of age from among the winning entries will
competition will be held for all students 16- 18 years of age receive an additional €250 gift voucher.
■
in TUi workplaces. Special category
■
A sample of entries will be on display at
The theme of the competition is ‘ireland Further Education/PLC
■
Congress 2016.
1916’ and entrants will be required to 3rd level colleges
■
create an entry/submission/artefact on Adult Education Entries should be submitted to Nadia
■
this theme in one of the following Johnston, Administrative Officer at TUi
■
formats: The Special Category encourages Head Office by 5pm on February 12th
■ drawing or painting (any material) participants with a physical or intellectual 2016. The following must be included with
■ visual media disability to submit entries. the submission:
■ poetry
■ short story The winner in each category will receive ■ the contact details of the entrant
■ play a gift voucher for €250 and will be invited (including a phone number)
■ song/ballad (along with a guest) to Congress 2016 at ■ the category in which the entrant is
the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on applying
A panel of judges will pick six winners, Wednesday 30th March 2016 to receive ■ the date of birth and
one in each of the following categories: their prize. An overall winner chosen ■ the name and address of the TUi
workplace
ireland 2016 programme
Ireland 2016 is the State Centenary Programme to remember 1916,
to reflect on the Republic 100 years on and to re-imagine our future.
The programme includes seven strands: Programme by taking part in an exciting Generation 2016 or discovering your
State Ceremonial; Historical Reflection; range of projects and activities. family’s hidden stories from 1916, this is a
An Teanga Bheo/The Living Language; once in a century invitation for everyone
The programme aims to showcase the
Youth and imagination; Cultural to get involved, take part and help make
innovation and talent of ireland’s children
Expression; Community Participation; this a special moment in irelands history.
and young people through unique
Global and Diaspora.
competitions and awards in the areas of Special resources and further information
Children and young people are at the visual art, drama, history, song, poetry and on is available on scoil.net and ireland.ie
heart of ireland 2016. The nationwide film. or follow us on Facebook and Twitter
schools programme invites teachers and @ireland2016
Whether it is creating a brilliant art
students to participate in the Centenary
piece, drafting a new proclamation for
12 november 2015 - TUi NEWSVitamin D B Vitamins
& Iron
1 in 7 children
go to school
without breakfast 1
Breakfasts for
Better Days ™
Kellogg's aim to donate 2 million servings
of cereal by the end of 2015 in Ireland
This will be achieved through our partnerships with food bank
networks and through other community projects.
Reference: 1. The Irish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Study (2006).
www.kelloggsnutrition.com © KELLOGG COMPANY 2015t u i neWs
Th e r e ’s n o
su b st it u t e
te a c he r
for the good
in an interview earlier this year, Barack in spite of all the technological change of
Obama was asked what he would like to modern times, there is still no substitute
do after his term as President. He said that for the uniquely beneficial influence of the
he hoped to work with children in schools, classroom teacher. The basics of good
in an effort to inspire them to have the teaching have stood the test of time.
self-confidence to follow their dreams.
One of President Obama’s consistent Teaching is one of the most challenging,
educational themes has been the wish that but one of the most rewarding professions.
every child crosses paths with one teacher The rewards are not measured in
“who hits the light switch and changes monetary terms, or in personal thanks, but
one’s life”. rather in seeing a smile of achievement on
the face of a student who has increased
By Jim Lyons,
Responding, Kathleen Parker, a Pulitzer self-belief because of our efforts. Teachers
former CEO of Clare VEC prize winner, wrote in The Washington always have, and always will have a major
Post about the teacher whose influence role to play in guiding their students from
she still feels. She describes what Mr juvenile dependency to a more
“The rewards are not Gasque did which “turned on her light.” independent maturity.
He restored her confidence by what he
measured in monetary did when she answered a question in a way Everybody remembers their favourite
terms, or in personal that made her classmates collapse in teachers. They are usually the ones who
demand high standards from themselves
thanks, but rather in laughter.
and from their students. Their motivation
seeing a smile of “He whirled,” she wrote. “No perfectly is always based on fairness and on genuine
achievement on the executed pirouette can top the spin interest in their students’ welfare. Their
face of a student who executed by Mr Gasque that day. Suddenly
facing his class, his face flushed crimson, his
knowledge of their subject and their
enthusiasm instil an appreciation of
has increased self- voice trembled with rage. Don’t—you--- learning in the young minds of students.
belief because of our ever---laugh at her again”, he said. Then the regular word of wisdom, the
efforts.” proverb, the quotation, the kind and
14 november 2015 - TUi NEWSt u i neWs
encouraging remark, all contribute to the punishment rather than the desire to be At the other end of the spectrum, there
character formation of passing generations. worthy members of a just school are some teachers with many years’
Whether they go on to employment or to community. The vast majority of children experience who find it overwhelmingly
higher education on leaving school, what now enjoy their school experience. challenging to control the changing
people really need is the ability to work cohorts of students in their classes. These
and live with others in harmony, while Of course there are still some people who are people who have a history of good
having their own set of morals and may argue that rigid strictness had much service but who now suffer what is
attitudes. to recommend it. Their claim is that with mercifully termed ‘burn out’.
strict policies, lazy students were quickly
The Swiss psychologist Carl Jung (1875 – awakened from their apathy; those who The words of a teacher with 25 years’
1961) said that: showed signs of deviance were promptly experience on an in-service course were
brought into line and there was never apt. As she addressed a large group of her
“One looks back with appreciation doubt as to who was in authority. Those colleagues on the topic of discipline she
to the brilliant teachers, but with who emerged with distinctions in stated: ‘i daily stand in front of groups of
gratitude to those who touched examinations were pointed out as fourteen year olds who have had a range
our human feelings. The justification of the strict disciplinary code. of life experiences that i have never had’.
curriculum is so much necessary
raw material, but the warmth is One wonders if those who hold this view This was a superb teacher who went on to
the vital element for the growing have ever met even one of the many who explain that growing numbers of young
plant and the soul of the child”. didn’t survive that system; one of the many people experience - in their own homes -
who in later life bitterly resented being violence, nightly arguments, banging of
Consequently, every teacher must realise subjected, by fear, to a code of discipline doors, alcoholism, changing of partners, all
that their every word, their every which smothered their natural of which effect classroom behaviour and
movement and even their tone of voice, all personalities and minimised their self- which a teacher must at least acknowledge
impact on their students. esteem. Many were subjected to ridicule, and try to understand. Regular in-service
Hian Ginot (1922 – 1973, child sarcasm and remarks that completely re-skilling and up-skilling courses, with
psychologist) captures the situation so ignored the dignity of every human being. emphasis on the rapidly changing social
aptly, when he writes: environment are absolutely necessary to
meet this challenge.
“i have come to a frightening
conclusion. i am the decisive silent suffering Teacher well-being must be of prime
element in the classroom. it is my importance to all involved in the education
While the vast majority of teachers
personal approach that creates the process, as there is no replacement for the
perform professionally and admirably,
climate. it is my daily mood that energy and influence of the efficient and
some among the ranks suffer silently as
makes the weather. As a teacher, i effective classroom practitioner.
they find it increasingly difficult to deal
possess tremendous power to with the effects of a constantly changing The great teacher, Brian Mac Mahon
make a child’s life miserable or social environment on their students. enunciated brilliantly what inspires all good
joyous. i can be a tool of torture teachers when he wrote:
or an instrument of inspiration. i At one end, there are very young teachers
can humiliate or humour, hurt or who suffer terribly in classrooms and who “if i could only plant a seed in the
heal. in all situations it is my are afraid to admit to having problems, lest imagination of each student that
response that decides whether a they be deemed failures, or perhaps their would fructify later in each unique
crisis will be escalated or de- teaching contract will not be renewed at individual; if only i could find the gift
escalated, and a child humanised or year end. Usually, with experience and the that i sensed was latent in each
de-humanised”. support of colleagues, they weather the one of them, then perhaps i would
early storms. in some schools, this support have fulfilled the purpose of my
is formally arranged through a system of being a teacher.”
classroom climate senior mentors being allocated to new
Classroom climate has changed utterly staff members.
since the abolition of corporal punishment
in 1982. Previous to that, students
conformed to rules because of a fear of
www.tui.ie - TUi NEWS 15Have you PU TM O RE
considered IN YO U R
consolidating
your loans?
If you are looking to free up some of your Talk to TUI Credit Union about combining all your
monthly outgoings TUI Credit Union might be debt into one simple repayment - chances are
able to help. Hire purchases, credit card debt, car you’ll save hundreds on interest.
loans, overdrafts, personal loans - paying them all
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Source www.itsyourmoney.ie Figures quoted correct as at 20/10/2015
Step 2. Obtain the TUI Credit Union “Debt Consolidation
Loan” at www.tuicu.ie
Step 3. Compare the cost of Step 1 with Step 2 and note
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Loans are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. Shares are held as security against the loan.
*For a €5,000 3 year variable interest rate loan, with monthly repayments of €155.16, an interest rate of 8.27%, an APR of 8.59%, the total amount payable by the member will
be €5,580.58. Information correct as at 21/10/2015.
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anywhere, anytime.
If you are already a TUI Credit Union online Download today
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of 8.59%, the total amount payable by the member will be €5,580.58. Information correct as at 21/10/2015.
TUI Credit Union is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
tuicu.iet u i neWs
teachers for equality
Tom Clonan has been a member of the TUI for 15 years. He lectures in DIT, Aungier Street.
He is also Irish Times Security Analyst (2001-2015). From 1989 to 2000, Tom was an officer
in the Irish Armed Forces and served in Ireland, the Middle East and former Yugoslavia.
As an Army officer, i was trained to ‘Leave After i retired from the Army, i became a the Celtic Tiger and in the Crash and its
no one behind’. i was taught that survival father to four children, Darach, Eoghan, aftermath. Equally heartbreaking – and
meant sticking together – unit cohesion. Ailbhe and Rossa. All four pregnancies were mystifying – was the way in which so many
Solidarity in extremis. normal, all of our children healthy and of my colleagues in journalism, print and
happy. At 18 months however, Eoghan, broadcast alike, are so quick to demonise
As a young officer i found myself at the began to flounder a little. A slight these same professional groups.
centre of an israeli punitive operation nystagmus in the eyes. A faint tremor in his
against the civilian population in south little pudgy hands. Eoghan was referred to in spite of austerity and cuts to services,
Lebanon. Operation ‘Grapes of Wrath’ a paediatrician and received a diagnosis of Eoghan has eventually progressed to the
resulted in the killing of hundreds of Pelizaeus Merzbacher Disease or PMD – a point where he has progressed to
Lebanese men, women and children in the rare neuromuscular condition. secondary school. Eoghan has been
irish Battalion area. welcomed enthusiastically into St. Andrew’s
This was our introduction to disability. College, Booterstown. Eoghan’s teachers
The worst experience for me was in With all of the shock and trauma and have fully integrated Eoghan into the heart
witnessing the killing of children. To lift grieving that goes with it. it was also our of the school. With their help and with
their lifeless little bodies from the ground. first introduction to the front line staff who learning support and his extraordinary
Tiny hands already stiff with rigor mortis. i deal with disability. Doctors, nurses, SNAs – Eoghan is able to realise his fullest
recall two children in particular, a small boy occupational therapists, physiotherapists, potential. Not as a disabled boy with an
with a Kermit the Frog T shirt. Kermit speech therapists. All of them wonderful. assistance dog – but as a person, citizen and
waving jauntily – the boy’s eyes open in Engaging with Eoghan professionally, but a beautiful young man.
death. A little girl in pink. A princess on her also lovingly. Getting to know him. As a
top with the words, ‘Un Belle Histoire’. parent it was a revelation to watch the St Andrew’s operates as all second level
alchemy that exists between the vulnerable schools do. The school community has
Years later, as a parent, those images would and the caring professions. it was also a rallied around the weakest and most
return to haunt me. For it was only as a revelation to see those front line vulnerable of its members. Our politicians
parent that i fully understood the full professionals undermined by cutbacks and would do well to look to our second level
barbarity of war and conflict. so-called austerity measures both during schools and our teachers for an example as
TOM CLONAN, HiS SON EOGHAN AND EOGHAN’S ASSiSTANCE DOG DUKE
20 november 2015 - TUi NEWSt u i neWs
to how society ought function – where no i am grateful to all the teachers, SNAs and schools across the state. To my fellow
one gets left behind. other frontline staff who have allowed my colleagues in education, i salute you and
son to blossom and grow as a person and thank you for leaving no one behind.
Despite Eoghan’s progress in St. Andrew’s, citizen of this Republic. i despair of those
due to austerity measures and savage cuts who would seek to undermine or disparage
to our health services, he has lost many the work of teachers and the teaching
basic therapies. Eoghan has been stripped profession. Frankly, i am ashamed of those
of almost all of his physiotherapy, irish politicians, journalists and economic
occupational therapy, speech therapy and commentators who collaborate with and
surgical review. Due to cutbacks and extend the false narratives of Austerity -
waiting lists, he has spent over two years in which cause such disproportional hurt to
wheelchairs that are too small for him. the most vulnerable in irish society.
Sadly, he is developing a scoliotic curve to
his spine and contractures in his legs – As a public servant in uniform, i saw irish
conditions that are exacerbated by loss of citizenship at its best in the Middle East. As
therapies and inadequate seating support. a father, i see the same exemplar of
citizenship in our second level teachers and
Tom Clonan is running as an independent Candidate for the irish Senate,
Trinity College Dublin Panel. Tom is asking fellow TUi members and TCD
Graduates to vote for him in the upcoming election to the Senate, TCD
Panel. His primary motivation for running is to reverse the cuts to
disabled children, adults and carers and to promote Equality and Rights
Based supports for all those with Special Needs.
tui Golf society news
The final outing of the season, “The The prize giving was followed by the AGM The Society would like to sincerely thank all
Captain’s Prize”, took place in Tullamore in which the following were elected for the Golf Clubs who facilitated us during the
Golf Club in September. The weather was next year: year.
beautiful and the course in Tullamore in Captain Denis Magner We would like to thank Paul Roche, Austen
superb condition. The competition was very Treasurer Tommy Glynn Stewart and TUi Credit Union for their
hot, with the result going down to the wire, Subscriptions Sec Tommy Buckley support, especially the sponsoring of the
ultimately being decided on a countback on Timesheet Operator Don Ryan Golfer of the Year trophy.You can show
the back nine. your appreciation by supporting them and
Results Other Ex. Members – Finola Butler, Paddy getting your friends to join.
Visitors Pascal Looney Hogan, Angela Doherty
Michael Kelly The TUi Golf Society travelled to Spain for
Mens Cat 1 Gerry Kelly Membership for next year is now due. The the Hallowe’en mid-term break.
Tom Buckley subscription is €20. Next year’s events will be published shortly.
Michael O’ Brien Denis Magner, Captain
Mens Cat 2 Don Ryan
Jim Halpin
Tommy Glynn
Ladies Josephine Fitzpatrick
Finola Butler
Angela Doherty
Winner of Captain’s Prize -
Ciaran Walsh
As this was the final outing of the year, it
also decided the Golfer of the Year.
3rd Paddy Hogan 89 points
2nd Genny Kelly 95 points
Winner Ciaran Walsh 99 points.
www.tui.ie - TUi NEWS 21t u i neWs
supporting education staff in
a time of change
TUI Education Conference – February, 2016
TUI is organising a conference
on supporting education staff
in a time of change. The
conference will be held on
Saturday, February 6th 2016 in
the Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise.
The planned schedule for the
day is set out below.
If you are interested in
attending then you should
attend your next branch
meeting in order for your
name to be registered.
heritage hotel Portlaoise, saturday february 6th 2016
conference ProGraMMe
9.00 - 9.30: Registration, Tea/Coffee
9.30 - 9.35: Welcome/introduction – Gerry Quinn, President, TUi
9.35 - 10.30: Keynote: Dr. Bernie Grummell, Maynooth University
Further education in a time of change: policy, practice, profession
10.30 - 11.00: Tea/Coffee
11.00 - 12.00: Keynote: Dr. Aidan Kenny – Assistant General Secretary, TUi
Creating a supportive work environment for academics in third level
12.15 – 12.35: Kate Hehir – “The selection process for principals: participants perspectives”
12.35 - 12.55: Ruth Morrissey-Casey – “Looking from the inside out: exploring secondary school students’ perspectives
on the irish language”
12.55 - 13.15: Dr. Gerry Harvey – “SSE: the voice of participants at the chalkface”
13.15 - 14.30: Lunch
14.30 - 15.15: Teacher registration and supply
15.15 – 15.50: Findings from recent TUi research
15.50: Close of Conference
22 november 2015 - TUi NEWSIRISH INDEPENDENT EDUCATION
Excellent Teaching
and Learning
Resources
for schools
0.30
€per week
DELIVERED
DIRECT
TO YOUR
SCHOOL
EACH DAY
50c
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*min. 5 copies per school
We’ve got your week covered
The Irish Independent
Digital Edition
One month free trial FREE
Plus 30% off an TRIAL
annual subscription
More information at independent.ie/secondaryofferst u i neWs
the ending of democracy
as we know it?
By Tom O’ Connor
“The young people we teach
in our schools and colleges
are facing a much tougher
and more unequal world
than the world many TUI
members grew up in.”
ictu Global solidarity directors and property holders had extra paying anywhere near a fair share of tax.
summer school
votes in Northern ireland up to 1970 They often use tax havens such as our
(“One man one vote” was the civil rights “great little country to do business in” -
demand at the time). Why are we going little wonder. And, not surprisingly, our
ttiP – a real and backwards in democratic terms? Why are government refuses to join Germany,
present danger these agreements negotiated in secret? France, Belgium, Spain and seven other
The headline that sticks in my mind from EU states in implementing the financial
the recent iCTU Global Solidarity Concerned? Act now! Go on www.stop- transaction tax of 0.1% on share
Summer School is “the ending of ttip.org and lobby your TDs and MEPs on trades - a move which would help stop
democracy as we know it.” Dramatic? if the this issue. the share gambling which partly
EU commission has its way, the trade accounted for the financial crisis of 2008.
agreements they have already finished the true cost of fashion
negotiating with Canada and with That was only one of seven topics dealt the next generation
Singapore, not to mention the in- with at the summer school. All were very The young people we teach in our
negotiation TTiP with the USA, will informative. Most dramatic was a film schools and colleges are facing a much
include iSDS - private arbitration courts “The True Cost of Fashion” which tougher and more unequal world than
which elevate corporations to the level of was a well-made documentary on the the world many TUi members grew up in.
nation states. So if citizens persuade second most polluting industry (after oil). But young workers are learning new and,
their parliaments to pass progressive One in six people in the world works in indeed, old tricks. We were told about
legislation, for example raising the fashion, or at least the cloth industry. the use of social media in the Marriage
minimum wage or improving safety at Cheap clothes and ‘fast fashion’ serve to Equality Referendum and by the irish
work, corporations which put profits distract us from our problems but cause Palestine Solidarity Campaign. And many
before people can take any EU state to huge problems for the workers producing of the new members in the rapidly
arbitration and sue for interference with the cotton and leather raw materials and growing transnational trade unions in
freedom to trade. This is not producing and shipping the garments. developing countries are young women.
scaremongering. it is already happening They pay, not just in low incomes but by
and our Labour and Fine Gael being on the receiving end of pollution. Around 80 delegates from 18 unions
government gave Minister Richard Bruton Many even pay with their lives. We attended this two day school in Cork.
the go-ahead to sanction the negotiations. learned of big garment brands refusing to The papers from the School can be read
Not only that, but companies will become pay into the compensation fund for the here:
‘stakeholders’ entitled to be consulted in Rana Plaza disaster in which 1,100 http://www.ictu.ie/globalsolidarity/newsev
future drafting of trade and commerce Bangladeshi workers died last year. ents/keyissues/2015/08/28/7th-annual-
laws. Other household brand names even global-solidarity-summer-school/
refuse to pay the paltry minimum wage if any member is interested in learning
As Esther Lynch of the iCTU said, this rate in developing countries. more about the Global Solidarity
just should not happen, neither in Committee or would be interested in
arbitration nor in public courts. Citizens tax-averse corporations setting up a solidarity committee or
should direct their public representatives A common theme at the school was the network in TUi they are welcome to
and companies should not. Company way corporations get away without contact me at tom.oconnor@dit.ie
24 november 2015 - TUi NEWSYou can also read
