[Ireland] Department of Education considers suspending teacher career breaks

[Ireland] Department of Education considers suspending teacher career breaks
08 Dec 2022

In Ireland, an incorporeal Cabinet meeting has been held to explore ways to address the country’s teacher shortage, RTÉ reports.

Minister for Education Norma Foley was due to attend an OECD meeting in Paris on December 6 so had to brief colleagues on the 5th.

The meeting reportedly heard that the suspension of non-statutory leave arrangements, such as career breaks, is being considered by the Department of Education to try to fill the gaps in schools.

In addition, around 800 second-year Hibernia College postgraduate Professional Master of Education (PME) students who have completed their latest school placement may be asked to do substitute work this year.

Teacher supply panels at primary level might also be changed and teachers could reportedly be asked to substitute in other classes while a student teacher is on placement in their class.

Plans will also be advanced to attract students from more diverse backgrounds into teaching as a profession.

On December 6 the Dáil was due to debate a Social Democrats' motion calling for urgent action by the Government to address the shortage of teachers.

In response to news that career breaks for teachers may be suspended, General Secretary of the TUI Michael Gillespie said that the move will have the opposite effect and will reduce the profession’s attractiveness for teachers.

"It'll make the situation worse," he said.

Mr Gillespie said that the career break system was not preventing anyone from taking a job but stated that reducing the attractiveness of a job will only make recruitment and retention worse.


Source: RTÉ 

(Quotes via original reporting)

In Ireland, an incorporeal Cabinet meeting has been held to explore ways to address the country’s teacher shortage, RTÉ reports.

Minister for Education Norma Foley was due to attend an OECD meeting in Paris on December 6 so had to brief colleagues on the 5th.

The meeting reportedly heard that the suspension of non-statutory leave arrangements, such as career breaks, is being considered by the Department of Education to try to fill the gaps in schools.

In addition, around 800 second-year Hibernia College postgraduate Professional Master of Education (PME) students who have completed their latest school placement may be asked to do substitute work this year.

Teacher supply panels at primary level might also be changed and teachers could reportedly be asked to substitute in other classes while a student teacher is on placement in their class.

Plans will also be advanced to attract students from more diverse backgrounds into teaching as a profession.

On December 6 the Dáil was due to debate a Social Democrats' motion calling for urgent action by the Government to address the shortage of teachers.

In response to news that career breaks for teachers may be suspended, General Secretary of the TUI Michael Gillespie said that the move will have the opposite effect and will reduce the profession’s attractiveness for teachers.

"It'll make the situation worse," he said.

Mr Gillespie said that the career break system was not preventing anyone from taking a job but stated that reducing the attractiveness of a job will only make recruitment and retention worse.


Source: RTÉ 

(Quotes via original reporting)

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