News Vol.42 / no.4 March 2020 - Teachers' Union of Ireland
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new s
teachers’ union of ireland / AONTAS MúiNTeOirí éireANN
Vo l.4 2 / no.4
M a rc h 2 0 2 0
tui neWs
contents: Important!
p.3 A Word From The
President
p.4 19,000 TUi members
take strike action over
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
pay discrimination Clearly, the challenges posed to us all by the ➤ it was recommended that schools/centres
p.8 Latest PDA teacher Coronavirus (COViD-19) are serious and far- consult with staff on 12th March to finalise
recruitment/retention reaching. As this is a rapidly developing situation, contingency planning
findings you will appreciate that some of what is
➤ Schools/centres are closed to
registered here will shortly be overtaken by students/learners during the period of
p.11 Letter to newly elected events. The TUi will endeavour to keep you closure.
TDs from TUi President updated through our website, social media
Seamus Lahart channels and the TUi App. We will also ➤ in order to minimise the impact on teaching
communicate as necessary with members and learning, all schools are asked to continue
p.12 Ballot for position of to plan lessons and, where possible, provide
TUi Vice President & through the usual email channels. We would
online resources for students or online
Teaching Council strongly encourage you to log onto the Union’s
lessons where schools are equipped to do so.
elections website, which will be updated with all relevant
Schools are asked to be conscious of students
information provided to us by the appropriate that may not have access to online facilities
p.13 Standardisation of Government departments. The priority of all of
school years 2020/21, and to consider this actively in their response.
us is the safety and welfare of all our citizens.
2021/22 and 2022/23 While we as teachers and lecturers have a ➤ Teachers should in the first instance work
personal and professional commitment to the from home during normal school hours
p.14 Senior Cycle review: a where this is possible. Where facilities are
summary of the process younger members of society, we are acutely
available in a school for online delivery,
conscious of the need to protect those who are
p.15 Academic Freedom and teachers who wish to avail of this should be
elderly or otherwise vulnerable. Following
research in ireland facilitated, once this is in line with HSe advice
discussions between the Department of
on social distancing etc.
p.18 important advice to education and Skills, unions and management
bodies on March 12th, the following points of ➤ it is important in particular that absences
members regarding
clarification and information were released: such as maternity leave etc. are keyed into the
Junior Cycle SLAr
OLCS/ eTB payroll system to facilitate
meetings ➤ An announcement was made by the Taoiseach continued payment of salary.
p.21 report on resolutions Leo Varadkar TD of the closure of schools,
➤ Schools/Centres are asked to prioritise
of Congress 2019 and pre-schools and further and higher education supporting exam classes to continue to
actions taken settings, for a period from 6pm, 12th March prepare for State examinations.
2020 until 29th March 2020, to support
p.39 rMA News efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19. if this information is overtaken by subsequent
This is in line with the advice of the advice, we will keep you posted. We wish all of
P.40 Crossword
National Public Health emergency you and yours safe passage over this challenging
time for all.
Team.
eDiTOriAL PrODUCTiON
Annette Dolan Bernie ruane TUi News is published by the
Deputy General Secretary Assistant General Secretary Teachers’ Union of ireland.
adolan@tui.ie bruane@tui.ie
Aontas Múinteoirí éireann,
73 Orwell road, rathgar, Dublin 6.
Declan Glynn Joanne irwin
Seamus Lahart Assistant General Secretary Assistant General Secretary
President dglynn@tui.ie jirwin@tui.ie T: 01-492 2588 F: 01-492 2953
president@tui.ie e: tui@tui.ie W: www.tui.ie
Aidan Kenny David Duffy
Martin Marjarom Assistant General Secretary education & research Officer
Printed by:
Vice-President akenny@tui.ie dduffy@tui.ie
Typecraft Ltd.
vicepresident@tuimail.ie
Michael Gillespie Nadia Johnston
Assistant General Secretary Administrative Officer
John MacGabhann mgillespie@tui.ie njohnston@tui.ie
General Secretary
jmacgabhann@tui.ie Colm Kelly Conor Griffin
Assistant General Secretary Press & information Officer
ckelly@tui.ie cgriffin@tui.ie
2 March 2020 - TUi NeWS
A Word from the
tui neWs
President – Seamus Lahart
the time of writing, yet to be formed, TUi South) and Ciaran O’ Donnell (eTB –
has written to all the political parties ireland North) on their election to the
stating that we expect equal pay to be Council. Another TUi-endorsed candidate,
implemented immediately, or otherwise Anne Mulcahy (education and Training
further industrial action will ensue. Board Sector – ireland South), was not
in that regard i have once again written to opposed and has been deemed elected.
Jerrieann Sullivan (Voluntary Secondary
our colleagues in the ASTi seeking their
School Sector – ireland South) and Aisling
cooperation in further actions should the Geraghty (Voluntary Secondary School
incoming Government not act immediately Sector – ireland North) should also be
to resolve the issue. it has always been commended for their excellent campaigns
TUi’s strong position that the teacher and strong showing in their respective
unions should campaign jointly on this constituencies. i want to draw attention to
most critical of issues. the dedicated service of the outgoing TUi
representatives. Mairéad Glynn, Séamus Ó
senior cycle review Fearraigh, Denis Magner and Gerry Quinn,
Senior Cycle review is ongoing, and TUi is who have worked tirelessly for our
keeping a close eye on developments. The members and deserve our thanks and
consultation process has been completed, appreciation.
and the resultant data is being formulated
technological university
TUi PreSiDeNT, SeAMUS LAHArT
into a report to be forwarded to the new
Minister for education and Skills. We must
consortia – process
continues
Coronavirus (COVID-19) – be vigilant in ensuring that any new
programme maintains the current high
level of public trust. At third level, our representatives in the
A time for solidarity
At the time of writing, schools, colleges
Technological University consortia are
slar meetings
and education centres have been closed to
working to reach agreement on
students until 29th March and our Annual memoranda of understanding and our
Congress, scheduled for April in Killarney, TUi has been engaged in discussion with
representatives in TU Dublin continue to
has just been postponed. What we are the Department regarding the holding of
work to ensure compliance with the terms
experiencing is clearly unprecedented. This SLAr meetings. it remains our position
as already agreed. Work is underway in a
that the professional trust and autonomy
is a time for solidarity, and we urge you to subgroup of the iOTir Forum on the issue
allowed for in the ‘Joint Principles’
follow all public health advice provided as of a contract for our members working as
document of 2015, which underpinned the
our nation seeks to deal with the various researchers. in addition, the long-awaited
methodologies for the introduction of the
challenges posed by the Coronavirus. Keep workload review is about to commence.
JCPA, is the best practice. The current
an eye on the TUi website, App and social
submission to labour
arrangements whereby the coordinating
media channels for updates and the latest teacher plans the meeting in consultation
information. with, and with the agreement of, the other court over conditions for
tutors
subject teachers is what we agreed to in
the need for change 2015. Alternative methods sought by other
TUi has made a submission to the Labour
The 2020 General election delivered a parties would reduce the quantity of
professional time granted to teachers and Court in conjunction with the other
message to the political class that real relevant union on behalf of Adult
increase workload. A further consequence
change is required across our society, education Tutors in order to break the
would be a reduction in teacher allocation
particularly in terms of equity and fairness. to schools which would affect those who impasse in reaching an agreement on a
TUi members stood together on picket were hoping for augmentation to their proper contract for our members who
lines outside workplaces on February 4th contractual hours and may result in work in this area. enough is enough –
February in solidarity with more recent redeployment of staff. these members must be provided with
entrants who are discriminated against in appropriate terms and conditions for the
teaching council
terms of pay. Members unanimously valuable work that they do.
elections 2020
supported the action and delivered a
strong message that this unfairness must
Congratulations are extended to Anne
end now. Thank you for playing a vital part
Howard (Community & Comprehensive
in that. While a new Government has, at
constituency), Noel Cronin (eTB – ireland
www.tui.ie - TUi NeWS 3
tui neWs
Party leaders and education
spokespeople visit tui pickets
on pay discrimination strike day
FiNe GAeL – OUTGOiNG MiNiSTer FOr eDUCATiON
JOe MCHUGH GreeN PArTy – PArTy LeADer CATHeriNe MArTiN
SiNN FéiN – PArTy LeADer MAry LOU MCDONALD FiANNA FáiL – eDUCATiON SPOKeSPerSON THOMAS ByrNe
Party leaders and education
spokespeople from all main political
parties visited pickets as 19,000 TUI
members took strike action on 4th
February over pay discrimination.
We will be reminding politicians –
particularly those in Government –
of this support as our campaign
PeOPLe BeFOre PrOFiT – PArTy LeADer riCHArD continues. In this regard, the letter
BOyD BArreTT
reproduced on p.11 has been forwarded
to all elected TDs.
www.tui.ie - TUi NeWS 5
tui members ta
tui neWs
‘injustice of pay disc
timeline – tui campaign to eliminate
pay discrimination
february – september 2016 october 2019 – february 2020
4,000 TUi members at third level took When it became clear that the Union had
strike action on 3rd February 2016 over exhausted every available avenue in seeking
pay discrimination and related issues. Similar to have the remaining issues addressed, and
planned strike action at second level and in with the Government’s failure to act on
TUi DePUTy GeNerAL SeCreTAry the further/adult education sector for 24th undertakings given by the Minister for
ANNeTTe DOLAN iNTerVieWeD By February 2016 was lifted when the Union education and Skills at the teacher
rTe’S eiLeeN MAGNer AT iT SLiGO secured negotiations that ultimately led to conferences in April 2019, a new,
an agreement in September 2016 to unequivocal mandate for industrial action
incorporate the value of the Higher from members (92% voting in favour) was
19,000 TUi members took strike action over Primary Degree Allowance (€4,918) into secured by national ballot in October 2019.
pay discrimination on 4th February, warning the ‘new entrant’ scale. in November 2019 the Union announced
any prospective new Government – however that it would be taking strike action over
pay discrimination in February 2020.
it might be constituted – that it must act september 2017- January 2018
urgently to end this injustice. The strike
received extensive media coverage TUi members gave a strong mandate for
industrial action in a national ballot. in 2018, March 2020 onwards
throughout the day, with TUi representatives
outlining the effects of pay discrimination on pressure applied by TUi ensured that a While TUi is open to constructive
staff morale and also on the service to further significant gain was achieved with engagement on this issue, it is quite clear
students. the removal of points 4 and 8 from the new what any new Government now needs to
entrant scale, which allowed new and do. it is inevitable that the Union’s strong
Union President Seamus Lahart warned that recent entrants to progress up the scale and unequivocal mandate for industrial
there would be no ‘honeymoon period’ for quicker. This measure was accepted by action will once again be activated if a new
any new Government. ‘What is a complete members in a national ballot. Two lunchtime Government fails to end this injustice.
injustice under one Government will protests in February and May 2018 also
continue to be a complete injustice under a drew significant public attention to the
new Government, and we expect immediate injustice.
action on its elimination,’ he said.
As you will see elsewhere in the magazine,
What remains to be achieved?
politicians from across the political spectrum
visited TUi pickets in their constituencies,
some even holding placards. We will not be
shy about reminding them of their support
for our campaign in the coming months. The largest discrimination still occurs in the • reinstatement of the HDip/PMe
early years of employment, with new allowance to those who started
The TUi President has since written to all entrants to second level teaching earning teaching since 2012. TUi has lodged a
newly elected politicians outlining our 14% less on initial appointment and 10%
less in the first 10 years than they would claim with the Conciliation and
clear view on the issue (see text of letter
overleaf). have before the imposition of a two-tier pay Arbitration Scheme for Teachers on this
system. Within the first ten years of their issue.
career, they earn over €50,000 less. Over a
What tui grades
40-year career, they earn over €110,000
are affected by pay
less.
The following measures are required to end
discrimination?
pay discrimination:
• elimination of the remaining differences
in the early points of scale for ‘new
Teacher, Assistant Lecturer,youthreach
entrant’ grades resource Person, BTei Adult educator,
• Commencement on point 3 of scale in Adult Guidance Counsellor/Co-ordinator,
exeCUTiVe MeMBer DAViD WATerS
recognition of the six-year (primary Adult Literacy Organiser and Community
iNTerVieWeD By rTe OUTSiDe education Facilitator
GreeNHiLLS COLLeGe degree and PMe) unpaid training period
6 March 2020 - TUi NeWS
ake strike action –
tui neWs
rimination must end’
Key media coverage on 4th february
On Newstalk’s Breakfast Virgin Media’s ireland aM
Briefing, tui Vice reported live from picket line at
President Martin Greenhills College, Dublin with
Marjoram made clear that the President seamus lahart
Union will not tolerate pay and executive committee
discrimination affecting teachers, member david Waters.
lecturers,youthreach resource
persons and other affected Brian O’Connell reported live
grades. from the picket line outside
Glanmire Community College in
‘Not alone were teachers hunted Cork on RTE’s Today with
down in 2011 with cuts, they were Sean O’ Rourke with
hunted down again in 2012 with Executive Committee SeAMUS LAHArT iNTerVieWeD By VirGiN MeDiA NeWS AT
additional cuts,’ said General member Mike Lyons and
GreeNHiLLS COLLeGe
Secretary John colleagues.
MacGabhann on RTE’s
Morning Ireland programme, newstalk’s the Pat
which also featured interviews with Kenny show reported live tui President seamus rte evening news bulletins
post-2011 teachers Eamonn from picket line at Greenhills lahart interviewed outside also featured interviews and
Maguire (Donegal) and College. Greenhills College on rte footage from iT Sligo and LiT.
Zara Blake (Dublin). and Virgin Media news
RTE’s News At One bulletins.
interviewed TUI members outside
Limerick Institute of Technology.
CLOCKWiSe FrOM BOTTOM LeFT: PiCKeTS AT VTOS GALWAy, COLáiSTe POBAiL SeTANTA DUBLiN, GONzAGA COLLeGe DUBLiN, iADT
AND O’ FiACH COLLeGe CO LOUTH
www.tui.ie - TUi NeWS 7
tui neWs 8 March 2020 - TUi NeWS
tui neWs
www.tui.ie - TUi NeWS 9
Apply online today
www.tuicu.ie
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No 8, The Exchange, Calmount Park, Ballymount, Dublin 12, D12 W354. Tel: 01 4266060 Website www.tuicu.ie
Teachers’ Union of Ireland Credit Union is regulated by the Central Bank of Irelandtui neWs
the following letter has been sent to all newly elected tds:
Teachers’ Union of Ireland Aontas Múinteoirí Éireann
73 Orwell Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6. D06 YP89
Tel: (01) 4922588 Fax: (01) 4922953
e-mail: tui@tui.ie
website: https://www.tui.ie
________________________________________________________________________th________________________
26 February 2020
TUI Pay Equality Campaign
'HDU7',
We write to you today in this post-election period as talks to establish a Government are
ongoing.
As you are no doubt aware, the electorate sent out a strong message that there are issues
which they expect to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has campaigned to have the discriminatory pay
regime, imposed on the profession in 2011, finally and fully dealt with. Having exhausted all
possible avenues open to us, TUI members took strike action on this unacceptable injustice
in February 2020.
Unequal, unfair and discriminatory pay has blighted and continues to blight our profession
and must be eliminated now. As a result of this two-tier pay system, schools are
experiencing severe difficulties in the recruitment and retention of the suitably qualified
teachers required to deliver the curriculum in their schools. In a recent survey of over 130
second-level schools (January 2020) carried out by TUI’s Principals and Deputy Principals’
Association, 77% indicated that, in the previous six months, their schools placed
advertisements for teaching posts which did not attract a single application.
Quite clearly, continuation of discriminatory pay into the future will not be acceptable to our
members. Our mandate for industrial action is strong and unequivocal and I note that our
sister union has indicated that it will shortly pursue a similar route of balloting its membership
on the same issue. We will take further action if there is no solution forthcoming.
Therefore, I ask that you listen to the voice of reason and include in your provision for the
incoming Government immediate steps to end this gross injustice of pay discrimination.
We are available to meet with you to explain why the issue of pay discrimination must now
be fully resolved for the good of the education system to continue to serve the nation well.
We wish you well in your endeavours to formulate a good Government which will deal with
the key issues raised by the electorate.
Yours sincerely,
__________________________
Seamus Lahart, President
______________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
President: Seamus Lahart, General Secretary: John MacGabhann, Deputy General Secretary: Annette Dolan
Assistant General Secretaries: Declan Glynn, Aidan Kenny, Michael Gillespie, Colm Kelly, Bernie Ruane, Joanne Irwin
www.tui.ie - TUi NeWS 11tui neWs
liz farrell elected incoming update on
Vice-President of tui curriculum
Following a national ballot of TUi members,
development
Liz Farrell has been elected incoming in ireland, the power to prescribe the curriculum is
Vice-President of TUi (position effective vested within the legal power of the Minister for
from July 2020). education and Skills under the education Act 1998.
However, in practice, decisions in regard to the
Liz FArreLL
curriculum are informed by extensive work undertaken
by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
four tui-endorsed candidates
(NCCA). A wide range of stakeholders is represented
on the NCCA including the teacher unions and
elected to teaching council
management bodies. The last few months have seen
developments in a number of areas, as summarised
below.
As well as the overall review of Senior Cycle by the
NCCA, which is covered elsewhere in this edition of
the TUi News, the Council has been involved in a review
of a number of existing Senior Cycle subjects as well as
development of some new subject specifications.
ongoing leaving certificate
ANNe HOWArD NOeL CrONiN CiArAN O’ DONNeLL
subject specification work
sciences:
Three development groups are currently working on
revised specifications for Physics, Biology and Chemistry.
Gaeilge:
A development group is nearing completion of work on
a revised specification for Leaving Certificate irish.
ANNe MULCAHy JerrieANN SULLiVAN AiSLiNG GerAGHTy
Modern foreign languages:
The Teaching Council elections 2020 have been completed and the Union
A development group is nearing completion of work on
would like to thank all officially-endorsed candidates for their commitment a revised specification for Leaving Certificate MFL
and hard work throughout the campaign. (Polish, Lithuanian, Portuguese, Chinese).
Congratulations to Anne Howard (Community & Comprehensive
arabic:
constituency), Noel Cronin (eTB – ireland South) and Ciaran O’Donnell The NCCA is currently in the process of establishing a
(eTB – ireland North) on their success in the elections. Another TUi- development group to examine the updating of the
endorsed candidate, Anne Mulcahy (eTB– ireland South), was not opposed Leaving Certificate specification in Arabic.
and had already been deemed elected.
in addition to the above, the NCCA is currently
Jerrieann Sullivan (Voluntary Secondary School Sector – ireland South) and establishing a development group to carry out work on
Aisling Geraghty (Voluntary Secondary School Sector – ireland North) post-primary rSe in schools. This work will encompass
should also be commended for their excellent campaigns and very strong rSe in both Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle.
showing in their respective constituencies.
The TUi would like to take this opportunity to
Thanks also to outgoing TUi representatives Mairéad Glynn, acknowledge the exceptional work carried out,
Séamus Ó Fearraigh, Denis Magner and Gerry Quinn. voluntarily, by our representatives on NCCA boards
and committees.
12 March 2020 - TUi NeWStui neWs
standardisation of the school Years
2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23
Circular Letter 5/2020 sets out, the standardisation of the breaks at Christmas, easter and mid-term in the first and
second terms for the school years 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23.
Guidance for schools in relation to making up for time lost due to unforeseen school closures is included in Appendix B
of this circular. Where these measures are not considered adequate, contingency arrangements to make up for time lost
due to extensive or prolonged unforeseen school closures are also set out
A summary of the key information is set out below.
school Year 2020/21 school Year 2021/22 school Year 2022/23
october 2020 mid-term break october 2021 mid-term break october 2022 mid-term break
All schools will close from Monday All schools will close from Monday All schools will close from Monday
26th October 2020 to Friday 30th 25th October 2021 to Friday 29th 31st October 2022 to Friday 4th
October 2020 inclusive. October 2021 inclusive. November 2022 inclusive.
christmas 2020 christmas 2021 christmas 2022
All schools will close on Tuesday 22nd All schools will close on Wednesday All schools will close on Wednesday
December 2020, which will be the final 22nd December 2021, which will be 21st December 2022, which will be
day of the school term. All schools will the final day of the school term. All the final day of the school term.All
re-open on Wednesday 6th January schools will schools will re-open on Thursday 5th
2021. re-open on Thursday 6th January January 2023.
2022.
february 2021 mid-term break february 2023 mid-term
Post-primary schools will close from february 2022 mid-term break
Monday 15th February 2021 to Friday break Post-primary schools will close from
19th February 2021 inclusive unless Post-primary schools will close from Monday 13th February 2023 to Friday
changes are required as part of Monday 21st February 2022 to Friday 17th February 2023.
contingency arrangements to make up 25th February 2022.
for time lost due to unforeseen school easter 2023
closures. easter 2022 All schools will close on Friday 31st
All schools will close on Friday 8th March 2023, which will be the final
easter 2021 April 2022 which will be the final day day of the school term. All schools
All schools will close on Friday 26th of the school term. All schools will will re-open on Monday 17th April
March 2021. All schools will re-open re-open on Monday 25th April 2022. 2023.
on Monday 12th April 2021.
The following article was submitted by the State Examinations Commission
state examinations commission expands online
Marking for the 2020 examinations
The online marking of examination scripts online (i.e. Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, of the marking. in general, the feedback from
involves examiners viewing scanned images Physics, Politics and Society and LCVP Link examiners is that the system is easy to use
of candidates’ scripts on screen and marking Modules – written paper). At Junior Cycle, and they have expressed a strong preference
those scripts by interacting with software the new subjects for 2020 are German, for online marking. As with any change,
specially designed for the purpose. in Spanish and Home economics (adding to there is always room to improve. We are
February 2020, the State examinations english, Science, Business Studies and actively listening to feedback in order to
Commission (SeC) issued Circular S02/20 French). refine and improve the marking experience
which provided to schools the expanded for all examiners.
range of Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle The circular can be accessed in full here
subjects being marked online this year and https://www.examinations.ie/onlin The SeC is currently recruiting examiners
related information for teachers and e-marking and would love to hear from teachers at any
students. level of experience. The software is easy
Online marking does away with time- and comprehensive training will be provided.
For 2020, the Leaving Certificate subjects consuming manual tasks, such as sorting, examiners will have access to a help-desk to
english, History, French, Accounting, Home counting and numbering scripts and totting provide back-up and support. recruitment
economics (written paper), Geography, marks. it allows examiners to focus on the information is available from
Business and Physical education have been marking exercise, not on the administration https://www.examinations.ie/recruitment/.
added to the subjects already being marked
www.tui.ie - TUi NeWS 13tui neWs
upcoming changes to school admission policies
in January 2020, the Minister for education (under the commenced provisions of the aptitude, consideration of a parent’s
and Skills announced that new rules are Act) will require occupation, financial status, academic
coming into effect from the start of ability, skills or aptitude, apart from in
• That the school admit all applicants,
February in relation to admission to the case of the stated exceptions, as a
where the school has places available
schools. consideration for the offer of a place.
and is not oversubscribed.
The Minister has signed a Commencement • Provide details of the school’s
• Set out the manner and sequence in
Order in respect of the education arrangements in respect of students,
which selection criteria will be applied in
(Admission to Schools) Act. where the parent, or the student if they
the case of oversubscription.
are 18 or over, has requested that the
The new laws around admission to schools • Set out requirements for schools to student attend the school without
has the aim of ensuring greater transparency, make offers and for applicants to accept attending religious instruction.
equity and consistency in school enrolment offers and arrangements where offers
The TUi has previously made submissions
generally. may be withdrawn.
on the education (Admission to Schools)
From February 2020 every recognised • Place a ban on waiting lists, apart from Act and has met with the DeS on the
school will have to draft a new school waiting lists maintained for the school matter. The TUi broadly agrees with the
admission policy, in accordance with the year concerned. There is a provision that thrust of the Act and believes that all
act’s requirements, following consultation will allow for a five-year period for schools should be open to all students
with the patron, the staff of the school and current waiting lists to expire, allowing insofar as is possible. The TUi has
parents of current pupils. schools to honour commitments they welcomed the concept of templates being
have already made to parents. provided to schools, to use if they wish, but
The Commencement Order provides for has pointed out that principals are entitled
• require all schools to consult with and
the new laws to come into effect in respect to holidays so dates for implementation
inform parents where changes are being
of applications made for admission to should be extended beyond the summer
made to their admissions policies.
schools for the 2021/2022 school year holidays. The DeS agreed with this and it
onwards. • Prohibit interviews, consideration of a
student’s academic ability, skills or has been taken into account in the
senior cycle review: a summary of the process
Newly revised school admission polices directions since issued.
This article was submitted by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)
A review of senior cycle together to discuss feedback materials were made available on NCCA.ie
education undertaken by from schools and to add their throughout the review. To ensure awareness
NCCA in late 2016 is voices to the discussion. A of the review was raised consistently
nearing completion. The detailed collation of the throughout the process, a series of update
review took place in feedback gathered during bulletins were published online and posted
three phases. Phase one phase 1 and 2, was then in hard copy to schools and to a wide range
(2016-2017) established a published for further of stakeholders. These bulletins outlined
process for conducting the consultation in the interim progress in the review and invited
review, informed by national report on the review of expressions of interest to participate in the
and international research Senior Cycle education. review, in the national seminar series and in
and dialogue, including an public consultation events. All publications
Upper Secondary education Phase three (2019 – 2020) and materials relating to the review can be
in Nine Jurisdictions comprised of a public accessed online at https://www.ncca.ie/en/
Overview report. consultation on ideas senior-cycle/senior-cycle-review
emerging from the review. The public
Phase two (2018-2019) consisted of a consultation generated a lot of interest and The review identified a lot of positives in the
school review and national seminar series. engagement and included 21 bilateral current senior cycle as well as flagging
Teachers, students and parents across a meetings and 12 focus group meetings potential areas for improvement. Arising
representative sample of 41 schools nationwide, including a number of from the review process, NCCA will shortly
nationwide took part in this school review, TUi/NCCA co-hosted meetings; 4,300 issue advice to the Minister for education
exploring purpose, pathways and flexibility in responses to an online survey; and Skills on future directions in senior cycle
senior cycle. Their feedback was analysed by 48 written submissions on behalf of education. NCCA wishes to thank all in TUi
the eSri and published in a research paper organisations, 38 submissions on behalf of who were involved in and who helped to
entitled Student, Teacher and Parent individuals and 191 submissions from third- shape the review process throughout.
Perspectives on Senior Cycle education. level students. Feedback from this public Ongoing collaboration with schools and
consultation was collated in the Senior stakeholders will continue to
ideas emerging from the school review were Cycle review Public Consultation report. be a core feature of NCCA’s work and
presented at a series of national seminars in will contribute significantly in the years
Dublin, Cork, Galway, Athlone, Sligo, Communication and consultation with ahead to shaping and realising the vision for
Limerick and Waterford, where teachers, schools and stakeholders occured senior cycle emerging from this review
students, parents and stakeholders came throughout the review process. review process.
14 March 2019 - TUi NeWStui neWs
The following article was originally published in December 2019 by French journal
La Vie de la Recherche Scientifique. It is reproduced by kind permission.
academic freedom and
research in ireland
JOAN DONeGAN MArTiN MArJOrAM MAriA PArSONS
authors: legal Protection for use of exploitative, precarious contracts for
academic freedom
some academic staff (mostly researchers).
Joan donegan
Austerity budgets since the financial
(General Secretary, iFUT)
internationally recognised principles of collapse have also added to the tension
Martin Marjoram academic freedom have legal protection in between academic freedom and institutional
(Vice President, TUi; ireland, e.g. in the Universities Act 1997, autonomy on the one hand and government
Lecturer, TU Dublin) Section 14 (2)1: control, neo-liberal managerialism, business
interests and the commercialisation of
Maria Parsons A member of the academic staff of a research on the other. Difficulties faced by
(Area representative, TUi; university shall have the freedom, within the academics include strategic plans of Heis
Senior Lecturer iADT law, in his or her teaching, research and any that specify priority areas of research to the
Dun Laoghaire) other activities either in or outside the exclusion or marginalisation of others;
university, to question and test received inappropriate performance metrics; changes
wisdom, to put forward new ideas and to to governance models that lean towards
abstract: state controversial or unpopular opinions increased managerialism; state funding
Though protected in irish law, and shall not be disadvantaged, or subject to research calls that target and prescribe
academic freedom in irish Higher less favourable treatment by the university, certain areas of knowledge and enquiry; and
education institutes is subject to for the exercise of that freedom. pressure regarding the retention rates of
significant threat and interference. Similar provisions can be found in the students (who pay the second highest level
These arise chiefly from the institutes of Technology Act 2006, Section 7 of fees in europe after the UK).
collapse in higher education (2)2 and the Technological Universities Act
funding since the financial crisis;
exploitation of
2018, Section 10 (2)3.
precarious, casualised academic
researchers
contracts (particularly for
researchers); and funding and
threats to academic
freedom and challenges
policy decisions which favour Around the beginning of the current
certain disciplines and research
for academics and their
century, a practice developed of hiring
topics (especially those geared significant numbers of researchers in Higher
trade unions
towards commercial and economic education. research had previously been
priorities). conducted as an essential and integrated
in spite of such legislation, the Teachers’ part of the career of lecturing staff
Union of ireland (TUi)4 and the irish alongside the other standard academic roles
Federation of University Teachers (iFUT)5 of teaching and service to the community.
are deeply concerned about threats to Full-time researchers were, up to then,
academic freedom in ireland’s Higher found only in certain specialist research
education institutions (Heis) which have institutes. The latest figures available from
developed in recent years, most notably the ireland’s Higher education Authority6 from
www.tui.ie - TUi NeWS 15tui neWs
December 2017 illustrate how far this an environment in which casualisation and action and campaigning
bY ifut and tui
practice has developed in terms of whole- other poor employment practices flourish
time equivalent (WTe) staff numbers: as managements struggle to maintain
services more and more cheaply. it is iFUT has recently affiliated to eurodoc8 and
difficult in such circumstances not to see previously entered into a Memorandum of
Academic research/ the creation and expansion of a vulnerable Understanding with the irish research Staff
Core-Funded Specialist cohort of research staff who have little Association in an effort to broaden the fight
Staff Academic choice but to align their research topics for basic employment rights and equality of
(WTe) Staff (WTe) with priorities chosen by Government and treatment for researchers.
management as a deliberate and cynical act
Universities 4669.6 3677.5 which severely impinges on the exercise of iFUT and TUi are members of education
institutes of academic freedom. international (european region) and have
Technology been to the forefront in prompting ei’s
(ioTs)7 4695.0 511.2 Higher education and research Standing
Government Committee to campaign actively at a
hypocrisy
european level on behalf of researchers.
While Academic Core-Funded staff is This campaign has scored notable successes
primarily full-time and permanent (80.53% through the medium of eU-sponsored
of WTes Universities and 81.89% in ioTs6), Despite the sub-standard and disrespectful
Sectoral Social Dialogue where useful
most researchers have been and continue treatment routinely meted out to
declarations on the rights of research
to be employed on precarious, fixed-term researchers, those primarily responsible for
workers have been endorsed by the
or fixed-purpose contracts. Many contracts their predicament – Hei managements and
representatives of both trade unions and
of such employment are linked to, and the Government – regularly issue deeply
education employer bodies.
dependent upon, financing from sources disingenuous and hypocritical proclamations
outside of the Hei, in many cases from the about the central importance and great While the numbers of researchers in TUi
private sector. This represents a significant value to society and the economy of the workplaces are not as high as in iFUT’s, TUi
(and unacknowledged) subsidy from the work being conducted by these same too has experience of individual claims on
state to private entities which would have researchers. Coinciding with these high- behalf of researchers (including at the
to pay much more if required to employ minded declarations, the Heis (actively Labour Court) and has collective claims in
their own research staff. supported by Government) aggressively train to improve researchers’ salaries,
fought case after case where researchers, contracts, and pensions. Through a lengthy
Besides the preponderance of precarious with the support of their trade unions, campaign of industrial action allied to
contracts among researchers, the terms and invoked their entitlement – under eU laws significant political lobbying, TUi negotiated
conditions of researcher contracts outlawing lengthy periods of precarious beneficial amendments to the Technological
(including the pay and pension) are typically employment – to have their posts declared Universities Act 2018 which it believes will
inferior to those of lecturing staff. Sub- to be permanent. result in a much more collegiate and less
standard precarious contracts, the managerial model of governance leading to
continuation of which depends on the Shockingly, around the same time when a
better protection for the exercise of
success of the next round of funding national agreement was negotiated between
academic freedom.
awards, do not allow the exercise of the irish Congress of Trade Unions and the
academic freedom in any real sense. State containing clauses reducing the length
Marketisation and
of time that employees could be kept on
indeed, the overall funding of third level
commercialisation
temporary contracts, Government
education in ireland has collapsed since the published a written statement declaring that
financial crisis, with state funding per these clauses would not apply to
student reduced by about 50%. This has researchers. Not surprisingly therefore, Heis in ireland, in line with global trends,
coincided with an increasing emphasis on iFUT has calculated that in recent years the are not only expected to teach and conduct
where irish Heis are placed in international union has spent approximately 70% of its research, but to generate market-driven
league tables, the criteria of which are time on individual casework fighting for the knowledge; they are to some extent defined
heavily focused on research, as well as rights of precarious university employees, as market entities themselves within a
increasing pressure from Government to most of whom were employed as competitive european and international
develop research which will serve the researchers. system of higher education. in the neo-
economy. Long-term underfunding creates liberal university where governance is
centralised and hierarchical, academics have
16 March 2019 - TUi NeWStui neWs
less decision-making power in relation to research disciplines relevant to the Academics who have the ‘freedom’ to
policy making and strategic development. priority area. research new ideas or to introduce new
research policies driven by subjects are increasingly confined to fields
4. The priority area represents an
commercialisation and market demands can of scholarship that are supported by
appropriate approach to a recognised
and do limit academic freedom by under- government, which, in turn, are strongly
national challenge and/or a global
resourcing and discouraging certain subjects influenced by business interests, especially
challenge to which ireland should
and disciplines that are not perceived to those in science and technology. The impact
respond.
generate economic impact. TUi has also had of commercial interests is reflected
to challenge instances of progression from While the “impact” of research for the especially in the funding of research. None
Assistant Lecturer (the entry grade for purposes of securing competitive funding is of the subjects in the Arts Humanities and
most academic staff in ioTs) to Lecturer assessed under a range of headings, it is Social Sciences were listed as priority
being called into question because clear that the emphasis is economic. Science funding areas in the research Prioritisation
impressive research profiles of applicants Foundation ireland’s list of “impact report for ireland in 2011. Not only are
did not sufficiently align with management’s reviewers” is illuminating in this regard10: science and technology prioritised for
chosen list of research priorities, a very research funding, but within these fields,
in nearly all cases, SFi will use
concrete example of “less favourable very specific areas are targeted.
international experts with
treatment” arising from the exercise of
specific/documented interests in impact
academic freedom in contravention of the
conclusion
evaluation from other jurisdictions to
legislation.
review and rank the impact statements
“innovation 2020”, ireland’s strategy for of scientifically excellent projects. These Teaching and research driven by market
research and development, science and impact reviewers have included interests, framed by political and
technology, includes a commitment to Company r&D Directors, Heads of institutional agendas, and measured and
review ireland’s research priorities. The very Translational institutes, Senior funded according to inappropriate output-
clear commercial focus of the review is Technology Transfer Professionals, only metrics cannot represent the academic
evident from the criteria9: investors in scientific/technology early- freedom protected in our laws. iFUT and
stage companies, for example. TUi will continue to campaign against the
The process of determining the refreshed
priority areas involved utilising the following The undue influence of commercial damage to academic freedom posed by the
four high level criteria: interests and market ideologies on Higher closely related threats of chronic
education in ireland has for some time been underfunding and market ideologies.
1. The priority area is part of, or Through lobbying, individual and collective
identified as a significant threat to academic
associated with, a large global market or claims and cases, hopefully genuine social
freedom, particularly as Heis have come
markets in which irish-based enterprises dialogue with Government, and industrial
under increasing pressure with regard to
already compete or can realistically action where necessary, we promote and
funding. There is every indication that the
compete. fight for our vision of education, not as a
current policy approach is firmly embedded
2. The priority area requires publicly and will present an enormous challenge to commodity, but as a public good to be
performed rDi (research, academics and trade unions for the realised through permanent academic
Development, and innovation) to foreseeable future, as identified by scholars contracts reflecting the appropriate balance
complement private sector research Kathleen Lynch and Mariya ivancheva on between teaching and research in Higher
and innovation in ireland. the previous research prioritisation report, education institutes which should foster a
though their verdict remains just as true for culture of collegiality and support for all
3. ireland has built or is building
this one11: academic staff including researchers.
objectively measured strengths in
1
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1997/act/24/enacted/en/print#sec14
2
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2006/act/25/section/7/enacted/en/html#sec7
3
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/act/3/section/10/enacted/en/html#sec10
4
TUi represents academic staff (including researchers) in institutes of Technology and Technological University Dublin, as well as teachers and education staff at second level and in further and adult
education.
5
iFUT represents academic and professional staff (including researchers) in Universities, Colleges of education and some research institutes.
6
https://hea.ie/assets/uploads/2018/01/Higher-education-institutional-Staff-Profiles-by-Gender-2018.pdf
“Core-funded” staff are those whose salaries are included in direct government funding which should pay for the “core” or fundamental activities and costs of a Hei.
“research/Specialist Academic Staff” are defined as “Non-core grant funded research and specialist posts. These may include posts funded from both exchequer and Non-exchequer resources”.
7
Dublin institute of Technology, institute of Technology Blanchardstown, and institute of Technology Tallaght have since merged to become Technological University Dublin.
8
The european Council of Doctoral Candidates and Junior researchers.
9
https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Publication-files/research-Priority-Areas-2018-to-2023.pdf (Page 7)
10
http://sfi.ie/funding/award-management/research-impact/
11
Kathleen Lynch and Mariya ivancheva, ‘Academic freedom and the commercialisation of universities: a critical ethical analysis’ in ethics in Science and environmental Politics 15(1), January 2015.
www.tui.ie - TUi NeWS 17tui neWs
important advice to tui Members
regarding des circular 17/2020 -
Junior cycle slar Meetings
Circular Letter 17/2020 was issued SLAr meetings has already been paid for solidarity with new and
recently by the Department of education
and Skills. it provides 4 options for
by the State – by way of professional time
– and that the State will not pay on the
recent entrants
any arrangement for slar
arranging SLAr Meetings. double by providing substitution as well.
meetings that involves the use of
substitution will cost our new
We strongly advise members to The 2015 agreement is clear in this regard
entrant colleagues hours and
choose option a or option b. – a proportion of the 22-hours of
income. that would be
Both of these options are fully compliant professional time (40-minutes per week) is
unconscionable. therefore, keep
with the terms of the Junior Cycle used for SLAr meetings.
faith with the agreement we
Agreement – Joint Statement on Principles
made, act in solidarity with our
and implementation (May 2015) and The 2015 agreement is also clear in
new entrant and part-time
Appendix to the Joint Statement (July protecting the 28-hours of tuition time per
colleagues, respect the right of
2015). Any suggestion that these options week for students.
our students to 28-hours of
do not comply with the agreement is
tuition time and make the
simply wrong. These options describe, in your school you should seek a
professional choice by choosing
moreover, what you are already doing. consensus for Option A or Option B. if a
option a or option b.
consensus is not reached, the Board of
Option C is also compliant with the 2015 Management decides on the option to be
A poster summarising this information has
agreement but it is much more awkward used. in such circumstances, TUi members
been sent to all workplaces and is
to arrange, involves more work than is and the TUi workplace committee should
reproduced on the page opposite.
necessary and is invested with a lesser formally ask the Board of Management to
level of trust in the teacher. nominate Option A or Option B.
Option D has nothing at all to recommend We in TUi have made an agreement in
it. it is hugely impracticable and involves relation to Junior Cycle and have
the loss of jobs and income for members. honoured that agreement. There is no
However, it is a reminder that the time for reason to veer from that path.
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18 March 2019 - TUi NeWStui neWs
FOR THE ATTENTION OF
TUI MEMBERS
Junior Cycle Subject Lear ning and
Assessment Review (SLAR) Meetings
TUI Advice to Members
regarding DES Circular 17/2020
The Circular sets out 4 options – A, B, C and D
TUI advises that you read the Circular carefully and
Choose Option A or Option B
● Both are “high trust”. Both respect “professional time” and student tuition time.
● Both work – they represent what you are already doing.
Be wary of Option C
● It comes with a lower level of trust.
● It involves increased workload for the teacher and the facilitator.
Avoid Option D
This is a low trust option.
It involves a loss of professional time and teaching posts.
●
It hurts part-time and new entrant teachers.
●
It presents major practical difficulties.
●
●
NB Substitution and Supervision cannot be used
in facilitating SLAR Meetings
Options A and B are true to the Junior Cycle Agreement.
They provide opportunities and income for
your part-time and new entrant colleagues.
They are the professional choice.
Choose Option A or Option B
www.tui.ie - TUi NeWS 19Help protect
what matters most
with the TUI Income Continuance Plan
Benefits include:
Replacement income of up to
75% of salary if you can't work
due to illness*
A once-off lump sum of 25%
of salary if you are diagnosed
with a Specified Illness**
Life cover of twice your
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Apply today!
Call us on (01) 470 8070
or visit cornmarket.ie/tui
To be eligible to claim from the TUI Income Continuance Plan, you must meet the definition of disablement as defined in the policy document. Other terms, conditions and
exclusions apply. *Up to 75% of salary less any other income which you may be entitled to e.g. half pay, Ill Health Early Retirement Pension, Temporary Rehabilitation Remuneration,
State Illness or Invalidity Benefit, after you have exhausted the deferred period of the Plan. **To claim for one of the covered Specified Illnesses, you must meet the criteria of
that illness as defined in the Policy Document. Please contact Cornmarket for the policy definition of each Specified Illness and its pre-existing conditions. Terms, conditions and
exclusions apply.
Cornmarket Group Financial Services Ltd. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. A member of the Irish Life Group Ltd. which is part of the Great-West Lifeco Group of
companies. Telephone calls may be recorded for quality control and training purposes.
The TUI Income Continuance Plan is underwritten by New Ireland Assurance Company plc.
New Ireland Assurance Company plc is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. A member of Bank of Ireland Group.
15304 TUI ICP Ad 02-20tui neWs
rePort on resolutions of
conGress 2019 and actions taKen
school days in a school year for any
reason which they may consider
sufficient noting that substitute cover is
not paid by the Department of
education and Skills”.
This matter is being pursued. It
should be noted that where such
leave is provided it requires
classes to be covered by
colleagues without use of paid
substitution or the S&S scheme.
26. co. Monaghan
Congress instructs the executive
Committee to renegotiate a yearly
Circular to include a yearly opt-in and
ANNUAL CONGreSS 2019 opt-out option for teachers and to
remove the 15-year length of service
Motion under rule 23 coverage in relation to the clause in order to opt-out as this is
discriminatory to newly qualified
Noting • August 2019 announcement of teachers. it should be compulsory that
ballot, once you have 15 years S&S completed,
• the TUi’s commitment to prosecute the • October announcement of ballot either as an unbroken period or
ongoing campaign for pay equality to result, broken period, that you will receive a
resolution • November announcement of pension on the S&S.
February date.
• that the measure of removing scale The provision of a further S&S
points 4 and 8 represents progress but Opt-out and Opt-in Scheme has
does not achieve pay equality and a. conditions of serVice - been raised at the Teachers’
second leVel Conciliation Council. At the time
• that the current mandate for industrial of writing, the matter is being
action was secured in 2017 and requires 4. co. donegal considered by the official side.
to be refreshed Congress instructs the executive
Committee to liaise with the 19. dublin city
Congress directs the executive Committee Department of education and Skills and The Croke Park hours were imposed
to commence a ballot of members before the urgently seek that a national upon teachers in Post Primary and
end of September 2019 for renewal of the redeployment scheme, that includes all Further education in February 2011.
mandate for a campaign of industrial action, counties every year, be created instead The supply and retention of teachers is
up to and including strike action, in pursuit of of the current pilot situation. a problem in education.
the just goal of pay equality. To address the problem, Congress
The extension nationwide of the acknowledges and demands the
TUI conducted a ballot of all redeployment scheme has been immediate removal of the Croke Park
members in September/October 2019. raised, by the TUI, at the hours.
Members voted by a margin of 92% to Teachers’ Conciliation Council. The TUi executive Committee will
8% to renew the Union’s mandate for In 2020, the scheme is available campaign fully to this end.
industrial action, up to and including to members in all counties who
strike action, as part of the campaign wish to be redeployed into a The TUI will continue to seek the
to end pay discrimination. The ballot school in Dublin. removal of the Croke Park
result makes clear that members are Hours, including in the next
united in solidarity with new and 14. co. Meath round of national pay talks due
recent entrants and are prepared to Congress instructs the executive to commence in 2020.
take industrial action should the Committee to negotiate a scheme of
process of pay equalisation not be leave for teachers in eTB schools in 2. co. carlow
completed in the near future. The line with those in Voluntary Secondary Congress demands that the executive
Executive Committee proceeded to and Community & Comprehensive Committee negotiate with the
act on the mandate provided. The schools where “management may grant Department of education and Skills
Union attracted significant media special leave to a teacher for up to five that when a teacher undertakes further
www.tui.ie - TUi NeWS 21You can also read
