Where in the world are the subs? - Abu Dhabi Australia Dubai England Scotland - Irish National Teachers' Organisation
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
IssueNo167
January/February2017
ISSN1393-4813(Print)
ISSN2009-6887(Online)
Where in the world are the subs?
Abu Dhabi
Australia
Dubai
England
Scotland…
Keeping InTouch 9 Interactive dialogue with members, and key news items 0
RosenaJordan,INTO
President;Sheila
Nunan,General
Secretary;NoelWard,
DeputyGeneral
Secretary/General
Treasurer;andDeirdre
O’Connor,Assistant
GeneralSecretary
picturedattheBranch
andDistrictOfficers’
Conferenceon
Saturday,14Januaryin
theCrokePark
ConferenceCentre.
Challenges north and south
Once again, primary school principals throughout the Other factors include the supply side problems in the
country are under severe staffing pressures because of a lack housing sector that have not been addressed. Pupil
of substitute teachers in the country. Last year, this was populations in urban areas are rising but rocketing rental
mainly attributable to the extension of teacher education costs, especially in Dublin, make it increasingly unattractive
courses by a year. and difficult for teachers to live there.
is year, a number of other factors have combined to FEMPI legislation introduced during the financial
deprive schools of the most important of resources – emergency remains in place. ere is an imperative on
teachers. government to, this year, set out the full and fair unwinding
e failure by government to fully address on-going pay of this legislation.
inequality has undoubtedly contributed to the increasing e fact of the matter is that Irish teachers, internationally
exodus of Irish teachers to other countries. recognised as among the best, if not the best in the world,
e lack of panels of supply teachers to integrate are in demand across the globe where there is a teacher
substitute teachers into the education system is another key shortage. e challenge for government, both north and
factor. Many young teachers who, on graduation, face south, is to fully recognise the value of all teachers at home.
uncertain employment patterns at home or certainty of
work abroad, reluctantly choose the latter. Irish pupils and
teachers deserve better from policy makers.
InTouchGeneralEditor: Sheila Nunan Correspondenceto: The Editor, InTouch, InTouch is published by the Irish National those of the individual authors and are not Except where the Irish National Teachers’
Editor: Peter Mullan INTO Head Office, Vere Foster House, Teachers’ Organisation and distributed to necessarily endorsed by the INTO. Organisation has formally negotiated
AssistantEditor: Lori Kealy 35 Parnell Square, Dublin 1 members and educational institutions. While every care has been taken to ensure agreements as part of its services to members,
EditorialAssistants:Selina Campbell, Telephone: 01 804 7700 InTouch is the most widely circulated that the information contained in this inclusion of an advertisement does not imply
Yvonne Kenny, Karen Francis Fax: 01 872 2462 education magazine in Ireland. Articles publication is up to date and correct, no any form of recommendation. While every
Advertising:Mary Bird Smyth, Karen Francis LoCall: 1850 708 708 published in InTouch are also available on our responsibility will be taken by the Irish effort is made to ensure the reliability of
Design:David Cooke Email:editor@into.ie website www.into.ie National Teachers’ Organisation for any error advertisers, the INTO cannot accept liability
Photography:Moya Nolan, Shutterstock Website: www.into.ie/m.into.ie The views expressed in this journal are which might occur. for the quality of goods and services offered.
INTOUCH 3 JaNUary/FebrUary 2017
CONTENTS
25 Transforming lives
Professor Brian Mac Craith’s address to INTO
Education Conference
27 In the Media
Recent media coverage in print and on the
airwaves
Keeping inTouch
3 Editorial
ICT grant
INTO say ICT infrastructure
14 28 Former INTO President dies
Tom Honan, President 1987/88, RIP
Want to work in Head Office?
Vacancies for INTO officials
grant inadequate
Challenges north and south
14 Officers’ Conference
7 Letters norThern news
Report from the Branch and District Officers’
10 thing you should know Conference in January 29 Campaign of industrial action
9 Shortage of primary teachers 16 INTO/An Post INTO NI has begun a campaign of industrial
Significant shortage of primary teachers to Handwriting action
fill short term vacancies news
10 Meet the CEC
Competition
Details of the
popular
16
Handwriting
30 Proposed changes to
substitute teacher employment
This month InTouch introduces competition Benefits outlined
representatives from Districts 2 and 3. handwriting
competition. 31 Draft area plan
Long serving INTO official retires
18 Get involved Changes could impact detrimentally on
INTO wishes Mary Lally a long and happy children
retirement INTO interns 2016/17 write about their
experiences of working in Head Office.
13 Reduced subscription for
Applications invited for internships for inTo Advice
teachers on half pay
2017/18 school year.
CEC decide reduced subscription to apply to 33 Don’t get saddled with credit
teachers on half pay 19 Pay restoration
card debt
Retrospective vetting April date agreed for €1,000 pay restoration
Advice from Consumerhelp
The Teaching Council is contacting Special education
34 Support for school leaders
teachers who have yet to be vetted INTO says jury out on new special education
teacher allocation model Centre for School Leadership pilot
20 Vere Foster medal winners 35 Perspectives on Aistear
18 Medal winners from Mary Immaculate
College and Marino Institute of Education
Findings from research undertaken by Frank
Healy, RIP, on junior and senior infant
teachers’ perceptions of Aistear as part of
21 INTO LGBT Teachers’ Group the MEd. degree at MIC.
Focus is on social visibility and support for
LGBT teachers this year
23 News briefs newsdesK
l Congress general secretary slams 37 Irish education tops league of
unequal pay public services
l Teacher exchange scheme Report by Institute of Public Administration
l School meals programme says education is the best public service in
l Employee assistance service Ireland.
INTOUCH 4 JaNUary/FebrUary 2017
29 January/February 2017
40 Primary education in numbers Finishing Touches
41 DEIS consultation 61 Noticeboard
Addressing educational disadvantage in Upcoming events
Tipperary Town
62 Comhar Linn Crossword
CPD provision
Plus results
New database launched
INTO seminars for principals 63 Scoilnet Panel
DES revamp pension modeller
Places still available
Someone like Me
Scoil Chiaráin wins major primary school
39
Calculator now available online art competition
38 Structure and time in the 42 Cumann na mBunscol Pisa and
primary curriculum News from Cumann na mBunscol TiMss
Consultation meetings planned 43 New PE resource
39 International assessments IPPEA launch a physical education
Good news for Irish education – TIMSS and assessment online video resource
PISA reports
TeAching MATTers
45 FÍS Film Festival
Storytelling through film
46 Historical icon of the 20th
century
Lady Mary Heath, aviator, maverick and
daredevil
50 Take control of social media
Síne Friel on how to safeguard your privacy
57 Irish resources
online
52 How do you teach like a man?
Suzanne O’Keeffe researched the barriers
male teachers experience.
More resources from COGG
59 Book reviews
Maths, history and superpowers
50
46 55 Copenhagen
A visit to the home of hygge
52
55
INTOUCH 5 JaNUary/FebrUary 2017
Keepingintouch
Letters
Dear Editor, We really appreciated the hard work feelings on this topic known. The children of
As 2016 closes I would like to share our but most of all the warm wishes which ireland have already lost visiting teachers for
1916 project with you and thank all the accompanied the cards. Travellers, resource teachers for Travellers and
schools, teachers and students who made Míle buíochas to everyone, teachers of EaL. all removed without review or
it all possible. Mary Carr, Limerick City Branch consultation.
We are a school attached to University Name with editor
Hospital, Limerick. Our students are all dear Editor,
inpatients of the hospital. Like all schools i am writing to thank sheila nunan for responding Dear Editor,
across the country we celebrated 1916, so to allegations made by the head of the nCsE that I am finding it impossible to find a
that any student who was in hospital for children are being deliberately misdiagnosed in qualified substitute teacher.
his/her school’s celebrations, would not order to get extra resources in schools. The I could employ a teacher on a
miss out . consequences of this type of allegation could be continuous five day a week contract to
We decided that we would make a detrimental to children with sEn, their the end of the school year. I have tried
postcard of Limerick and send it to schools classmates, their families and their teachers. everything and the position is that there
in the 32 counties of Ireland and ask that i would like those in leadership roles in the inTO are no substitutes available. I have
they make a postcard with some scenes to carefully examine the proposed ‘new system’ on networked amongst my principal
from their county and post it back to us. behalf of the children and teachers of ireland and, if colleagues and all to no avail. We are all
We hoped to get a postcard from each necessary, to fight all cuts to resources for children finding the same problem – no subs
county. We picked the schools at random. with sEn. One would expect a new system to bring available. Where does this leave children?
We were overwhelmed by the improvements and we all know that improvements What am I to tell parents?
response, the artwork, the research, the are needed in the following: a speedy Last year, principals were told that
creativity and the wonderful warm wishes acknowledgement of the need, assessment (not for there was a shortage of qualified
the students sent to our students. the ‘label’ as claimed but to guide staff in how to substitutes due to the BEd changing to
I would like to formally thank all the manage and teach the child), supply of resources four years. This we accepted as we
principals, class teachers and students including special needs assistants, resource struggled daily to find replacements for
who took time out of their very busy days teachers, and adequate equipment. absent colleagues.
to reply to us. i would encourage inTO members to make their Why are there no substitute teachers
available in 2016/2017? What is the excuse
this year? What is the Department doing
Dates for your diary to rectify this nationwide situation?
Principal teacher, Dublin
INTO Special Education Conference INTO Youth Conference
11 February 2017: DCU/St Patrick’s Campus, 25 March 2017: Silver Springs Hotel, Cork
Drumcondra, Dublin 9. INTO Annual Congress Follow the inTO on Facebook at
17-19 April 2017: Belfast Waterfront www.facebook.com/inTOnews/
This letters page is designed for members to have their Email: editor@into.ie or write to: The Editor, inTouch,
Tell us what you think say about something you have read in inTouch or want inTO, Vere Foster House, 35 Parnell square, dublin 1.
to communicate with other inTO members. Mark all such communications ‘inTouch letters’ and
€50 voucher draw each month for letter writers. give a contact telephone number and your inTO
Winner december: Feargal Brougham, dublin north membership number for verification. Long letters may
East. be edited.
things you should know
1 April date agreed for
€1,000 pay restoration.
Page 19
4 INTO subscription
change for teachers on
half-pay. Page 13
7 Career break cap on
work raised. Page 9
2 Retrospective vetting of
registered teachers to 5 Extension to teacher
exchange scheme
8 Consultation on structure
and time in the primary
curriculum. Page 38
begin. Page 13 achieved. Page 23
3 New special education
allocation model 6 Name change to
Employee Assistance
9 Vacancies in INTO Head
Office. Page 28
announced. Page 19 Service. Page 23 10 Internship opportunities –
INTO Head Office. Page 18
INTOUCH 7 JaNUary/FebrUary 2017
INTO News
5 e Irish National Teachers’ Organisation … who’s who, what’s new, and what’s happening 6
significant shortage of substitute teachers
Opportunities for final year students to cover short-term Extension agreed in
absences entitlement to work as
substitute while on career
ere here may be some opportunities to avail of substitute work in schools break
for final year students to cover short- should have started the vetting
term absences in schools over the process with the Teaching Council in Cap raised to 90 days
coming months which would benefit January.
both schools and final year students. Student teachers, once vetted, may e INTO has, for some time, been in
A student teacher must be vetted be employed on a casual basis for non- contact with the DES regarding the
by the National Vetting Bureau before consecutive periods of no more than five serious problem in accessing substitute
starting any employment in a school. consecutive school days. teachers to cover absences in many parts
is includes short-term cover for of the country. e INTO argued that,
teacher absences (substitute work). while big questions regarding teacher
Student teachers may apply to be Important note: Student teachers supply and substitution panels needed to
vetted through the Teaching Council won’t be able to register with the be addressed, one initial step was to allow
in the calendar year in which they are Council until they have successfully an increase (from the current 40 days) in
due to qualify as a teacher from an completed the teacher education the number of days per school year where
Irish teacher education college. course. However, the Council will a teacher on career break may substitute.
Vetting disclosures can then be made act as a conduit so that they can be e DES has now decided to raise the
available to schools electronically via vetted for employment purposes. cap on subbing while on career break to
Digitary. 90 days. e Department will amend the
Any final year student teacher wishing OLCS to reflect this change and
substitutes will be paid at their non-
casual rate from day 90 and beyond of
Shortage of subs raised in Dáil their substitute service during a school
year. Teachers will not accrue
The chronic shortage of substitute recruited abroad. incremental credit for substitute work
teachers affecting primary schools was In a somewhat contradictory reply, done while on career break.
raised in Dáil Eireann (14 December the minister said he was aware that
2016) by Joan Burton TD. She called on some schools were experiencing
the Minister for Education and Skills to difficulty in recruiting adequately Retired members
establish panels of supply teachers to qualified substitute teachers but that Circular 31/2011, issued at a time when
give substitute teachers and schools the DES had no evidence of a recent or substitute teachers were readily available,
certainty in respect of their positions. current shortage of primary teachers. He states: “as far as practicable … unemployed
She said the shortage of substitute said he would specifically ask that the teachers should be offered employment
teachers was a grave concern impacting issue of substitute supply be examined in preference to those who have retired.”
on teaching, learning and school by the DES because of emerging The circular goes on to state that “a
administration. She also said the matter difficulties and that the DES would look retired teacher should only be employed
was related to pay equalisation which at various suggestions that might ease where it has not proved possible to
was seeing newer teachers being the short-term pressure. employ a teacher who is not retired…”
DES policy is, therefore, very clear:
recruiting a retired teacher is entirely
inTO subsearch INTO SubSearch is designed to help teachers find
substitute work – whether just out of college or
appropriate in circumstances where
efforts to recruit a teacher who is not
seeking part-time employment. Substitute teachers retired have been unsuccessful.
register their profile and availability on the site – The contribution of retired teachers has
while principals can search for registered subs in always been essential in meeting the
their area. short term substitution needs of schools
Register at subsearch.into.ie that arise at short notice.
INTOUCH 9 JaNUary/FebrUary 2017
NuachtCMÉ
Meet the CEC
Continuing our series of introductions to district representatives … This month we feature CEC representatives from Districts 2
and 3. All district representatives on the CEC are serving primary teachers. Members wishing to contact their district
representatives by phone should not do so during school time except in the most urgent of cases. Contact details for all CEC
representatives are in the INTO members’ diary.
dorothy Mcginley – district 2 Michael weed – district 3
dorothy McGinley represents district 2 (derry, Michael Weed represents District 3
Tyrone, Fermanagh and down). a native of which includes the counties of
annagry in West donegal, she now lives and Donegal and Leitrim and stretches
works in Co Tyrone. dorothy taught for a year from Malin Head, the most northerly
in donegal and then spent nine years teaching point on the island of Ireland to the
in the american system, both in the parochial borders of Longford, Cavan and
and state systems in Los angeles and in the Roscommon.
american school in aberdeen. she then moved The district has 15 branches,11 in
to Co Tyrone where she teaches year seven and Donegal, three in Leitrim and one
is on the senior leadership team in sionmills branch which straddles the border
Ps. she has also participated in a Fullbright between both.
teacher exchange programme to seattle in Michael is originally from
Washington. dorothy is Reading Recovery trained and completed a year and a Inishbofin, Co Galway and began his teaching career in
half of a master’s programme in education in the University of aberdeen. she Culmullen NS, Co Meath. He then moved to Holy Spirit BNS,
has also completed her PQH. she was school rep and then became more Ballymun and afterwards to Donegal. Presently he is acting
actively involved when she became strabane Branch secretary. she principal in SN Mhín a Ghabhann. He became involved in early
represented district 2 on the Education Committee for a year before moving to INTO campaigns on educational disadvantage when teaching in
the CEC. she has a particular interest in on-going educational issues and Dublin. Michael was a member of the INTO Task Force on Small
strategies, global education, CPd, and teacher education. Schools.
Long serving inTo official retires
In January 2017, Mary Lally retired from her post found themselves in difficult situations in
as senior official in INTO after many years of relation to leave, salary and the panel.
service to the Organisation as an activist, a CEC In the Conditions of Employment section, her
representative and a Head Office official. knowledge of circulars and her long and
Mary graduated from Carysfort College in accurate memory are legendary. She also
1977, and worked in Scoil Mhuire, Howth. She developed constructive working relationships
was elected to the CEC from District 15 in 1994, with DES officials, which enabled the resolution
and was appointed as a senior official in Head of many issues.
Office in 2002. Mary also contributed greatly to the
Mary’s role in Head Office brought her into Organisation through her role in coordinating
contact with members on a daily basis. Her trade union training for a number of years, and
sound advice and support was deeply valued her role as Equality Officer from 2014 until her New senior
by them. She was tenacious in her pursuit of retirement. official in INTO
members’ entitlements, often for people who We wish Mary a long and happy retirement. Head Office
John O’Brien has been
appointed senior official
MaryLally(picturedfar in the Conditions of
right)inherroleas Employment section of
INTOEqualityOfficer Head Office. John has
inÁrasanUachtaráin worked in the section
withPresidentMichael since 2008 and has
D.Higgins.Alsopictured developed particular
areAnneMarieLillis expertise in the areas of
andEileenGamble pensions, retirements and
fromtheLGBTTeachers’ sick leave. He has also
Group. been involved in
development education
and the INTO Global
Solidarity Network.
INTOUCH 10 JaNUary/FebrUary 2017
INTOnews
Teachers on half pay Retrospective vetting
– INTO subscription change The Teaching Council has begun (January
2017) the process of writing to teachers
who have not previously been vetted to
Following three months on full pay while reduced subscription will apply only inform them of the requirement to be
on sick leave, a teacher is entitled to where a teacher has a minimum of 10 vetted. Letters to teachers will issue on a
three months on half pay (within a four school days on half pay in a given period. phased basis, according to year of birth,
year period). In some circumstances, a e reduced subscription will operate by over the course of this calendar year.
teacher will have a longer period on full way of refund. A member affected Teachers are advised to apply for
or half pay if they can avail of the Critical should provide a copy of his/her salary vetting when contacted and requested by
Illness Protocol. slip to the INTO Membership Section, the Teaching Council in order for
on the basis of which a refund will be registration to be renewed.
Reduction arranged. Any previously un-vetted teacher who
In circumstances where a teacher goes requires a vetting disclosure for the
on half pay, the CEC has decided that TRR purpose of changing school/employer in
this should be recognised through As notified in InTouch (September 2015), the foreseeable future or for the start of
payment of a reduced INTO a member on Temporary Rehabilitation the 2017/2018 school year should apply for
subscription. e subscription for a Remuneration (TRR) – which follows a vetting disclosure in the normal manner
teacher on half pay will be two thirds of sick leave at half pay – is entitled to a as per Circular 31/2016. These typically
the normal subscription, since full INTO refund of any membership subscription include teachers who intend to
services remain available to a teacher on paid which is more than 0.8% of gross commence an inter-school job-share; a
half pay. is is consistent with the level pay/TRR. teacher exchange, sub on career break etc.
of subscription paid by a member who is Any member who wishes to avail of Further information on retrospective
job-sharing. the arrangement as outlined should vetting: www.teachingcouncil.ie/en/
e CEC has also decided that a contact the INTO Membership Section News-Events/Latest-News/Retrospective-
threshold will operate, so that the by emailing rbowes@into.ie Vetting-of-Registered-Teachers.html
icT infrastructure grant inadequate
e INTO described the recently announced ICT
infrastructure grants for primary schools as totally
inadequate. e union said the overall level of the
grant was insufficient to meet the needs of schools
in replacing obsolete ICT equipment.
Sheila Nunan, general secretary, said the funding
equated to just €40 per child, of which €9 would go
straight back to government in taxes. She said the
announcement failed to address key concerns of
primary schools such as access to reliable high-
speed broadband.
Ms Nunan said the announcement would not
provide for the upgrading of equipment and also
failed to provide any commitment to technical
support to schools. She also said the DES could not
gloss over the fact that primary schools have
overcrowded classes and inadequate funding while
promotional opportunities for teachers have been
slashed.
Ms Nunan called for a post of responsibility for
ICT to be established in every school.
e union said there was no justification for
funding of €22.20 per mainstream pupil in primary
schools compared with €31.90 per pupil at second
level. InTouch
e INTO said the DES could not pretend to (December2014)
support the potential of digital technologies to which
transform the learning experiences of students on highlightedthe
this level of funding. digitaldividein
Irishschools
INTOUCH 13 JaNUary/FebrUary 2017
NuachtCMÉ
Branch and District Officers’
Croke Park – 14 January 2017
A Branch and District Officers’
Conference was held in Croke Park on
14 January 2017. e purpose of the
conference was to outline key challenges
in the year ahead for the Organisation
including pay and pensions, improved
resources for primary education,
tackling overcrowded classes,
underfunded schools and diminished
resources for special education.
e conference was opened by INTO
President Rosena Jordan who thanked
all the officers for their attendance and
for their continued work on behalf of
members of the Organisation.
e general secretary Sheila Nunan
provided an update on pay and
pensions. She outlined the payments due
to INTO members under LRA in 2017,
the strategy for dealing with the anomaly
arising from the Garda settlement in agreement to LRA. She outlined INTO in different parts of the country, the use
November 2016, the proposed Public objectives and a possible timescale for of career breaks and teacher exchange to
Service Pay Commission and a successor this work. affect mobility. She also referred to
She also provided an myths in the system that teachers
update to the conference on moving from permanent to fixed-term
INTO directives currently posts incur changes of pay and/or
in place, discussions with pension rates and she provided an update
the Department of on work to date on proposed voluntary
Education and Skills in transfer arrangements.
relation to posts of David O’Sullivan, Senior Official,
responsibility and provided an update to the conference on
developments in the area of vetting, the details of which can be
Droichead. found on page 13.
Deirdre O’Connor,
Assistant General Secretary
provided an update on
teacher employment and
mobility. She outlined the
fact that open competition for
posts was very limited outside
of Dublin, the uneven growth
in the number of teaching posts
Snapshots
from the
conference
Seemorephotosonthe
INTOFlickraccountat
https://www.flickr.com/photos/
irishnationalteachersorganisation/
INTOUCH 14 JaNUary/FebrUary 2017
INTOnews
Conference SAlARy uPDATE
changes to prd and usc
deductions for all teachers
On 1 January 2017, under the Lansdowne Road Agreement, the Pension
Related Deduction (PRD) exemption threshold increased from €26,083 to
€28,750.
All money earned in 2017 between €28,750 and €60,000 is liable to PRD at
10% and any earnings over €60,000 are liable at 10.5%.
In addition to the change to PRD, under Budget 2017, the three lowest
USC rates dropped by 0.5%.
These changes combined will result in an increase to net income for all
teachers.
Payment for the payroll period 27 December 2016 to 9 January 2017 issued
e conference heard a presentation from Dr to primary teachers on 12 January 2017. This payment reflected 9 days of the
Deirbhile Nic Craith, INTO Director of PRD and USC changes listed above (1 January to nine January 2017).
Education and Research, on the new model for The full value of the increased exemption rates for PRD and the reduction
allocating special education teaching resources to in USC were reflected in the pay cheque of 26 January 2017.
mainstream primary schools. e details of this
presentation can be found on page 19.
e final presentation of the day was from
Noel Ward, Deputy General Secretary, who
restoration of qualification
provided a pay equality update and information
on the INTO’s proposed Budget 2018 campaign.
allowance for teachers on
All inputs were followed by an opportunity for
questions which were answered by INTO
post-February 2012 scale
officials. Phase 1 of the restoration of the qualification allowance for teachers on the
post-February 2012 pay scale under the Lansdowne Road Agreement took
effect on 1 January 2017.
Salary payments issued to teachers on 12 January 2017 in respect of the
payroll period 27 December 2016 to 9 January 2017 reflected 9 days of this
restoration (1 January to 9 January 2017).
The pay cheque of 26 January 2017 saw the value of the revised points
reflected for the full payroll period.
The revised salary scales for these teachers from 1 January 2017 can be
found in Circular 78/2016.
Phase 2 of the restoration of the qualification allowance for teachers on
the post-February 2012 pay scale under the LRA will take effect on 1 January
2018.
Scale New Entrant Scale New Entrant
Point Scale Point Scale
@ 01/01/2018 @ 01/01/2018
1 €35,602 11 €49,504
2 €37,059 12 €51,122
3 €38,723 13 €52,732
4 €39,482 14 €54,354
5 €40,551 15 €55,710
6 €41,843 16, 17, 18 €57,506
7 €43,292 19, 20, 21, 22 €59,982
8 €44,752 23, 24, 25, 26 €63,254
9 €45,972 27 €66,869
10 €48,150
INTOUCH 15 JaNUary/FebrUary 2017
-1%"1 . !)- 4%(( -.
( -2(( - 2* &.. .
( %3% 2& &.. 1 $ -
( .$))& *-%7 .
)1. )! -2(( - 2* *-%7 .
3%.%1 !-)' 6)2- &)& ).1* -.)(
1-%* 1) %1( .. %.1)-6
%.%1)- (1- !)- 1$ )3 -&& 4%(( -
%' ) '$ ( * !'' ' $'
*$' " % ,$#% ' % " " &
" & " %' " $ '% '$')
$% ($% ' +! $ ' %' $, $ '$ ( '% '%"
,
% $' !'' % ! ' !$ $, * !$ ' , ($ *$'
% % *' !$-% *$ ' $ ' ! '% $ $ ' *'
' ) %" % ! *$' '
(*).1.$))&#+% /)'* 1%1%)(
1 #)-% . %(&2
( $ '% $ '% ' (' $ !'' ! % * *
%' %% %% ! %' ' %' $!$% '')%" ! '
$ %% ' %% % ! , ! %' , ($ '$% ' (% ' !$!
' %% ' %% ) ! !$ )" '$ '
! *$ ' $, *' ' * '% '%' !$-%"
$ '$% -% 6 1$ -2-6
5*&)- THE HISTORY AND SERVICES OF !N 0OST )4(&) NEW EXCITING CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES SUCH
AS ! $AY IN THE ,IFE OF A 0OSTPERSON STORY ACTIVITY
%.)3 - WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR MAIL AFTER YOU
%NGLISH AND ROLE PLAY ACTIVITIES $RAMA AND
POST IT
%NGLISH AS WELL AS THE OTHER ACTIVITIES RELATING TO
)& *&6 ACTIVITIES ALLOW YOUR PUPILS TO CURRICULUM SUBJECTS INCLUDING (ISTORY 'EOGRAPHY
EXPERIENCE ! $AY IN THE ,IFE OF A 0OSTPERSON -ATHS )RISH %NGLISH $RAMA AND 6ISUAL !RTS
# ##
" "$"
%"
# "
%( '' *' '$% *
) ) ! ) $
'
' ' ' ($ (' *%' *' (*).1.$))&#+%
* ')'% %% ! % (
$ ' ) % $ %"NuachtCMÉ
getting involved …
INTO interns 2016/17 write about their experiences of working in Head Office
The Internship gives you a unique
opportunity to be actively involved in Taking part in the INTO internship this
your union and to gain an insight into the year has been a wonderful experience.
diversity and depth of work that goes on For the first part of the year I have been
in Head Office. Since September I have based in the Legal, Industrial Relations &
been working in the Conditions of Leadership (LIRL) Section. I’ve been
Employment section, answering queries advising members on topics such as
from members across a range of areas. I parental complaints, directives and staff
have travelled around the country giving relations through the INTO query line. I’ve
information meetings to members, and also had the opportunity to travel to
am on the organising committee for the different parts of the country for
Youth Conference, was involved in the meetings with members, boards of
national lobbying day and have worked management and legal advisors. Beyond
with the Education Committee. I look my base section, I’m on the committees
forward to further broadening my for both the Youth Conference and the
experience when I move to the Legal, Special Education Conference and met
Industrial Relations and Leadership most of our TDs and senators through the
section shortly. A move from the SineandEimearatworkinHeadOffice INTO lobbying day. The work is really
classroom to an office environment may varied and interesting and everyone in
seem daunting but, with expert guidance benefit me greatly in my future career Head Office is incredibly welcoming and
from colleagues and the incredibly warm, and I would wholeheartedly urge any supportive. If you’re even half-thinking of
welcoming atmosphere in Head Office, teacher to apply for this fantastic applying, my advice is to go for it! I’m
you feel supported from the outset. I am opportunity. certainly glad I did.
confident that the experience and skills
that I have gained during the year will EiMEaR aLLEn, dUBLin nORTH EasT BRanCH sinE FRiEL, LETTERKEnnY BRanCH
want to serve inTo members next school year?
Exciting opportunity to work in INTO Head Office
Two fixed-term positions as paid interns – school year 2017/2018
The INTO invites applications for two INTO is seeking members who: To apply, please forward:
positions as paid interns for the school • are enthusiastic about INTO and its • a copy of your CV;
year 2017/2018. services; • a cover letter (2 pages max) outlining
• have an interest, and ideally your interest in INTO and how you
Persons appointed will be located for involvement at school/branch level, believe you could contribute
work purposes in INTO Head Office (35 in INTO; to/benefit from working with our
Parnell Square, Dublin 1). • seek more experience of INTO and Head Office team;
its operation; • names and contact details of tw0
These positions will be filled by • have excellent oral, written, referees (with note of how each
secondment from teaching, subject to communication and interpersonal person knows you).
securing board approval. skills;
• are trustworthy and appreciate the Your application, including the above
Persons appointed will work normal confidentiality associated with material, should be sent to Internships,
office hours, Monday to Friday, for the handling issues for INTO members; Office of the Deputy General Secretary,
school year 2017-2018. They will be • have good IT skills; INTO, 35 Parnell Square, Dublin 1,
subject to INTO Head Office conditions • have high standards and vision for or by email entitled ‘Internships’ to
and relevant staff policies. The INTO and for education. gglackin@into.ie
appointees will continue to be paid their
normal DES salary and to accrue The responsibilities will include working All applications must be received not
pensionable service as teachers, and will directly with sections within INTO, as later than 5 pm on Friday 24 February
receive an additional allowance subject assigned, assisting with members’ 2017. It is anticipated that a short-listing
to a maximum combined amount. queries and cases, attending meetings and interview process will take place
and preparing papers as required, with interviews scheduled for Tuesday
A full statement of conditions of researching specific issues and such 14 and Wednesday 15 March 2017.
employment is available on request. other duties as may be assigned by the All applicants will be advised of the
Email: gglackin@into.ie General Secretary. outcome.
INTOUCH 18 JaNUary/FebrUary 2017INTOnews
April date agreed for €1,000 pay
restoration
Payment date brought forward five months after talks
The €1,000 pay restoration, originally due secretary, Sheila Nunan, is vice chair of the allows for talks on a successor to the LRA
for payment from 1 September 2017 under Public Services Committee of Congress. – likely to take place in the late spring – to
the Lansdowne Road agreement (LRA), The INTO and other unions insisted on continue to address the issues.
has been brought forward by five months early negotiations to accelerate public The Public Services Committee of ICTU
and will now be paid from 1 April 2017. service pay restoration last November, recognised the value of this payment but
The improved arrangement, which was after the Government accepted Labour has advised the management side that
approved by Cabinet on 18 January, is the Court recommendations that gave Gardaí outstanding issues will be pursued in the
result of negotiations between public better terms than those set out in the further talks to take place following the
service unions and the Department of Public LRA. The agreement finalised last month initial report of the Public Service Pay
Expenditure and Reform. INTO general doesn’t fully deal with this anomaly, but it Commission.
New special education teachers
allocation model
INTO says jury out until resources match rhetoric
Last month the DES announced that a immediately rather than having to wait the case in many instances and the
new model for allocating special for a diagnosis. e new model will give reality is that resources didn’t match the
education teaching resources to greater autonomy to schools to allocate rhetoric.” Ms Nunan said the current
mainstream primary schools will be resources to the pupils who most need claim remained to be proven and would
introduced from September 2017. these resources, regardless of their be closely monitored.”
According to the DES, an additional diagnosis. She said the new model proposed to
900 extra teaching posts will be made Schools will be frontloaded with give greater autonomy to schools to
available in 2017 to support the new resources, based on each school’s profile, allocate resources to pupils. However,
model. It was also announced that no to provide supports immediately to she warned that the INTO would not
school will receive an allocation for those pupils who need it without delay. allow school offices to become the new
special educational needs support on the In response the INTO said that, while battleground over scarce resources. “e
introduction of the new model which is there were a number of positive aspects new model will not allow the State to
less than the allocation received in the to the proposed scheme, the jury was evade its responsibility to properly
current school year. out on the new model. e union said resource schools,” she said. “Principals
Where additional need is identified, the success of the new model would and teachers will continue to advocate
schools will receive additional depend on resource provision to match for resources for pupils and will not
allocations. According to the DES, up to the rhetoric. become gatekeepers for the State’s
1,000 schools will receive additional Sheila Nunan, General Secretary, failures to resource schools.”
allocations while the remaining schools, said proposals such as giving a single Additional provision for 900 extra
regardless of what their school profiles allocation to schools in January of each teaching posts is being made available
indicate, will not receive allocations less year, as opposed to a staggered for 2017 to support the introduction of a
than they currently have. allocation process were positive. new allocation model. However, this
No school previously in receipt of an “is will allow for earlier planning to includes approximately 600 teachers
allocation for a child with a low incidence take place in schools and will reduce which are required for increasing
special educational need will see a bureaucracy at school level”, she said. demographics.
reduction in its allocation for that child. “On the same basis, the ending of the Ms Nunan also said that the support
Schools will receive earlier allocations, need for schools to complete an NEPS psychologists and HSE
receiving a single allocation for special application process annually is a professionals can provide to schools in
educational teaching resources in positive step.” terms of assessment for intervention,
January of each year, as opposed to a However, she said the claim that and review and guidance depends on
staggered allocation process comprising schools will no longer have to wait for resourcing of those services. “Currently
general allocations and NCSE assessments to receive supports in NEPS is significantly under resourced,”
allocations. schools had been made before. “Previous she warned. “In addition, speech and
Schools will no longer have to wait for models promised that schools would be language therapists, mental health
assessments for children to receive frontloaded with resources to provide professionals and occupational
supports in schools. Children who need support to those who needed it without therapists are either in short supply or
support can have that support provided delay,” she said, “is did not prove to be non-existent in the education system.”
INTOUCH 19 JaNUary/FebrUary 2017NuachtCMÉ
VereFostermedal
winners
Mary Immaculate College
Left:PicturedattherecentMaryImmaculate Right:EibhlínRyanfromThurles(BEdinEducation
College(MIC)conferringceremonieswasEllen andPsychologygraduate)waspresentedwiththe
O’ReganfromSchull,CoCork,whowasawardedthe BonnVereFosterAwardinMIC.RosenaJordan
BonnVereFosterAward,presentedbyRosena presentedEibhlínwiththeVereFosterMedalfor
Jordan,INTOPresident,forfirstplaceinTeaching achievingfirstplaceintheTeachingPracticeand
PracticeandCurriculumEducation. CurriculumEducation.
Marino Institute of Education
JointrecipientsoftheVereFostermedalintheProfessionalMasterofEducation(PME)group, YvonneVanston(BEd)ispresentedwiththeVereFosterawardby
JulieCoyne(left)andAedínNíLoideáin(right),arepresentedwiththeirmedalsbyDrPatricia DeirbhileNicCraith,INTODirectorofEducationandResearch.
Slevin,DirectorofSchoolPlacement AlsopicturedareProfAnneO’GaraandDrPatriciaSlevin.
Details of Vere Foster medal winners from St Patrick’s College and Froebel College were printed in December’s issue of InTouch.
INTOUCH 20 JaNUary/FebrUary 2017INTOnews
Focus on social visibility and support
for LgBT teachers
The INTO LGBT Teachers’ Group supports and
advances the cause of lesbian, gay, bisexual,
and transgender primary school teachers in
Ireland. The group has worked hard to end
discrimination against LGBT teachers and in
2015 welcomed the amendment of Section 37.1
of the Employment Equality Act. This year the
INTO LGBT group is continuing to build
awareness of teaching resources for primary
schools to address homophobic and
transphobic bullying. They look forward to
reaching out to INTO members across the
country in their renewed focus on social
visibility and support for LGBT teachers. This
will include an increased focus on regional
meetings and social events, with dates
planned in Cork and Sligo.
Social nights, meetings and
events 2017
Dublin
Friday, 29 April
Dublin Pride, 24 June
Friday, 17 November
Sligo
Saturday,
23 September
Cork
Saturday, 11 March
Contact the INTO LGBT group at:
www.into.ie/lgbt
This Good Practice Guidelines poster can be downloaded
intolgbtgroupsecretary@gmail.com
0874683376 from www.into.ie/lgbt/lGBT_goodpractice.pdf and
@INTOLGBTeachersGroup
@intolgbt displayed in your classroom
INTOUCH 21 JaNUary/FebrUary 2017INTOnews
Congress general secretary Teacher
slams unequal pay exchange
scheme
In an interview with the Irish Examiner last needed to address the haemorrhage of
Extension to scheme
month, Patricia King, General Secretary of skills and so on, whether it is doctors, approved
ICTU, laid out key demands for the union nurses, teachers, engineers, whatever it is. The DES has approved an extension of the
side which she said are being flagged up She said public sector pay had taken maximum period for which a teacher
with the Public Service Pay Commission. cuts through the pension levy, hours were exchange may occur for teachers in their
“Lower pay for new entrants would added to people’s workload and fifth or sixth year of the scheme for one
have to be removed,” she said, allowances abolished. further year to allow time for
“Multiplicity of pay rates for the same job Ms King said this would “have to form” consideration of a voluntary transfer
is not tenable. It’s unfair. It is part of any successor to LRA. scheme at primary.
unreasonable to expect people to work in This is subject to the other provisions of
those circumstances and it needs to be the circular being complied with, i.e.
addressed.” application by the teacher to his/her
She also said any new public sector pay board of management and the approval
deal would have to address the of the board of management being
haemorrhaging of skills and staff which obtained. The Department will write to
has reached a “crisis” point in some the teachers and schools affected advising
professions. In addition to tackling them of the extension shortly.
unequal pay rates, Ms King warned that The announcement follows
gaps in the numbers in health or teaching engagements with the DES where the
would have to be tackled by reducing INTO has been exploring how concerns
childcare and housing costs. about mobility for permanent teachers
She said that a key concern — in might be addressed. On foot of these
addition to pay restoration — was how to representations, the INTO looks forward to
restore numbers after a whole period of engaging with the DES and Management
doing more with less. She said the ICTU to devise a scheme which would address
has told the Commission that they PatriciaKing,GeneralSecretary,ICTU the issue of permanent teacher mobility.
School Meals Programme
INTO queries ‘hard sell’ to schools
During the last term a number of some 35,000 extra school breakfasts will larger food suppliers to ask them to
schools contacted the INTO outlining be provided in non-DEIS schools from refrain from contacting schools,
approaches from commercial companies the start of the new school year and will pressurising them to apply for the
seeking to sign primary schools up to be expanded in future years. additional funding as announced in
the school meals scheme. ese e INTO contacted the Department Budget 2017.
approaches appeared to follow an of Social Protection (DSP) which e DSP is at present engaging with
announcement in Budget 2017 of administers the scheme in this regard. DES to identify the most disadvantaged
increased funding to the School Meals e DSP replied that, following this schools. e DSP will then contact these
Programme, which will rise by €5.7 query from the INTO, the Department schools early in 2017 and invite them to
million to €47.7 million in 2017. Of these, had been in touch with a number of the avail of the School Meals Scheme.
EmployeeAssistanceService/InspireWorkplaceServices
(formerlyCarecall)
Carecall, which provided the Employment Assistance Scheme for Existing telephone contact details will remain the same for now.
teachers, has been re-named Inspire Workplace Services. Freephone: 1800 411 057 (ROI) 0808 800 0002 (NI)
Following its recent merger with EAP Consultants in Ireland, the Email: support@carecallwellbeing.ie
company will conduct business under the name Inspire or contact through https://www.inspirewellbeing.org/
Workplace Services with offices in Belfast, Dublin and Edinburgh. workplaces/contact-us
The business address of the company is Lombard House, Website: www.carecallwellbeing.ie or
Lombard Street, Belfast BT1 1BH. https://www.inspirewellbeing.org/workplaces
INTOUCH 23 JaNUary/FebrUary 2017INTOnews
E D u c aT I O N cO N f E R E N c E
Transforming lives
through education
Professor Brian Mac Craith, President of arguments and create and co-create
DCU, addressed the INTO Consultative content. That is what we should be
Conference on Education last November. focussing on.”
The DCU Institute of Education now
incorporates St Patrick’s College of Education, innOVaTiVE PEdaGOGiEs
Church of Ireland College of Education, He identified modalities of learning or
Mater Dei College of Education and the innovative pedagogies to match the
DCU School of Education. The son of two nature of the 21st century learner,
primary teachers, Professor Mac Craith surrounded by streams of information
spoke about the pivotal role of teachers causing them to learn in different ways,
in the education system in the context of learning best as active participants and
unprecedented global and national engaging with information in radically
challenges. Education, he said, will be different ways. He advocated peer-to-
central to Ireland’s social wellbeing and peer collaborative learning, inquiry-
future economic prosperity, and central to based learning (IBL) and problem-based
the system are teachers. Referring to learning (PBL).
Ireland’s ability to attract foreign direct The significant shift towards inquiry-
investment based on three Ts – taxation, based learning and problem-based
talent and track record, he spoke of the learning necessitates a similar shift in the
need to ensure Ireland has one of the type of continuing professional
world’s leading education systems. development offered to teachers and
Prof Mac Craith outlined the ProfessorBrianMacCraithaddressingdelegatesat CPD should include learning events
importance of teachers for the 21st theINTOEducationConferenceinNovember where there are opportunities for
century enabling students to flourish in a collaborations among teachers in which
challenging world, a world that is information and applying that they can engage in active learning.
connected, globalised, knowledge-based, information in a sensible way.”
digital, aging, developing and urbanised. He said that Ireland could achieve much diGiTaL LEaRninG
“A country that, 25 years ago, was more from our national education system Professor Mac Craith spoke about the
essentially mono-ethnic is now the if we had a coherent approach and uneven adoption of technology to
second most globalised country in the aligned objectives along all the elements enhance learning, teaching and
world. In preparing our students to of the education continuum. He argued, assessment in Irish schools.
flourish in that world we have to take that many of the problems that we now face “I am pleased that the new digital
into account. This has a direct bearing on happen at transition points, between strategy for schools, which was launched
the focus of our education system and, primary and secondary and, in particular, last year, will address some of the issues.
therefore, on the role of the teacher.” between secondary and third level. It sets out a clear vision for the role of
In terms of change and the “If we set about identifying the overall digital technologies in enhancing
unpredictability of the future, he argued outcomes that we want in terms of our learning, teaching and assessment in
that we must equip students with a set of education system and develop those schools and it is worth quoting from it “so
personal skills or attributes that will enable along every stage of the system we would that Ireland’s young people become
them to navigate the particular challenges have a much more successful outcome I engaged thinkers, active learners,
of the coming decades. “And these are think. I think it is very surprising that knowledge constructors and global
skills such as leadership, creativity, critical there is actually no overall strategy for citizens who participate fully in society
thinking, problem solving. One of the key education in this country.” and the economy.”
ones, I would argue, is making sense of Critically, he acknowledged the
information. It used to be that a family assEssMEnT challenges and stated that resources will
home that had Encyclopaedia Britannica Any discussion around developing be required for the management of IT
had this advantage. You could get access attributes and students brings us logically infrastructure in schools and for upskilling
to information that was hugely to the critical issue of assessment. “Really, teachers in the use of technology, for
important. Accessing information is no assessment should be designed to providing courses that influence
longer the issue – it takes nanoseconds to measure students’ ability to collaborate, pedagogical orientation as well as CPD on
get any information you want. What is diagnose problems, plan investigations, the pedagogy associated with the use of
important is assessing information, research information, construct models, technology in teaching, learning and
distilling information, making sense of debate with peers, form coherent assessment.
INTOUCH 25 JaNUary/FebrUary 2017INTOnews
In the media
In print places is crazy. We could have up to 1,000 agreements have enabled public services
teachers looking to go…“ However, the to still be provided, it’s not a Rolls Royce
Bruton delivers €30m in IT INTO’s Peter Mullan said a recruitment model but it didn’t stop completely. While
grants to schools drive like this would leave the Irish the country did limp through there have
Richard Bruton has announced €30 million education sector at crisis point. He said: “I been a lot of casualties,” he says.
in IT grants for primary and secondary have an email which just landed this Irish Examiner, 19 Dec 2016
schools as part of his department’s digital morning about a school in Cork that has
strategy…But teachers have argued that three vacancies but couldn’t get someone Budget 2017
the grant is ‘totally inadequate’ and will not to fill them. Irish teachers are very much The INTO expressed criticism regarding
cover the cost of replacing old equipment. in demand because there is global Budget 2017 stating: “The Government's
Sheila Nunan, General Secretary of the recognition of the quality of Irish teacher plan for education was in tatters because
INTO, said the funding equated to just 40 education. One international report the Budget had failed to match the
euro per child of which nine euro would actually said that we were the best in the ambition with the resources.” The INTO
go straight back to the government in world. Rents in urban areas are a statement continues: “The total failure to
taxes. She said the announcement failed significant barrier to employment. I would increase day-to-day funding for schools
to address key concerns of primary schools call on the Government to restore pay for will leave primary schools dependent on
such as access to reliable high speed new entrants to pre-cut levels, they have continued voluntary fundraising and
broadband. “Today’s announcement to begin paying equally for equal work. parental contributions …”
would not provide for the upgrading of There is certainly a teacher shortage in Eolas Magazine, 1 Dec 2016
equipment and also failed to provide any Ireland at the moment and if that figure
commitment to technical support to were to leave the market at the end of ,
schools …” this school year, it would only exacerbate TheINTOPressOfficewelcomes
Irish Daily Mail, 4 Jan 2017 things …” contactfromteacherswhomight
The Irish Sun, 22 Dec 2016 bewillingtohighlightissuesinthe
Religion may be out of core
curriculum for primary Public sector pay deals: mediaintheformofacasestudy.
schools Bridging the gap between Thiscouldrelatetoanynumberof
Consultation process: The INTO welcomed the two sides issuesincludingemployment,home
the consultation process saying there was a Elaine Loughlin, Bernard Harbour and ownershiporsalaryorschoolissues
very real sense of overload among primary Eddie Molly examine and discuss recent suchasclasssize,fundingorresources.
teachers. The union’s general secretary public sector pay deals… As INTO Ifyouarewillingtotalktoajournalist
Sheila Nunan said primary teachers were assistant general secretary Peter Mullan
pleaseemailpmullan@into.iein
teaching seven curriculum areas with each said: “There have been cutbacks. I don’t
confidence.
one further sub-divided into more subjects. think the system is as good as it was. But
“They are then expected to teach all these certainly Croke Park and the other
to multiple groups of children in large
classes while at the same time provide
additional learning programmes for children
with special needs and very able pupils,” she On the airwaves
said, “While teachers are told to select ‘a la Barrscéalta
carte’ from a ‘menu’ curriculum, the
expectation still tends to be that, at the end Bíonn clúdach cuimsitheach ar gach cinéal ábhar a bhaineann le pobal Dhún na
of the year, all areas will be covered. This is nGall sa bhaile agus i gcéin ar Barrscéalta, mar aon le scéalta as Na Sé Chontae, an
an unrealistic goal which this process must Cabhán agus Muineachán. Deirbhile Nic Craith Irish National Teachers'
address.” She said it was important that any Organisation, Andy Caomhánach, Enda Bonner, John Campbell, Gearóid Sona,
review retains the breadth and balance in John Sheamúis Ó Fearraigh.
the learning experiences provided for RTE Raidió na Gaeltachta, 30 Nov 2016
children...
The Irish Times, 28 Dec 2016 Maths and science results
The 2015 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) study.
Middle East school INTO director of education and research, Deirbhile Nic Craith, joins the programme
Hundreds of Irish teachers are being lured to share her thoughts on the 2015 trends in international maths and science
abroad by lucrative posts in the Middle study.
East where they can earn almost double The Comment Line, Midwest Radio, 30 Nov 2016
their current salaries...Teach and Explore
boss Eoin Bolger said: “The demand for
INTOUCH 27 JaNUary/FebrUary 2017You can also read
