Staff shortages and cost-of-living crisis to dominate teachers union conferences

Staff shortages and safety, along with the cost-of-living crisis, are the major issues to be discussed as the annual conferences of the ASTI and Teachers' Union of Ireland trade unions get under way in Wexford and Killarney.

The sector faces a severe shortage of teachers, a crisis especially being felt by schools in urban areas, as the cost of living makes living and working in places like Dublin increasingly difficult for teachers.

More than 80 motions will be debated at the ASTI's three-day convention in Wexford, covering issues such as pay, pensions, working conditions, student welfare and school resources.

One motion call for stronger legislation to deal with online harassment, as up to one-in-five secondary school teachers said they have experienced some form of work-related cyberbullying, according to a recent ASTI survey

"That the ASTI lobby for the enactment of stronger laws to prevent online abuse and harassment on social media platforms," it states.

Teacher shortages will once again feature prominently at the convention with motions calling for recognition of all teaching service abroad for returning teachers, calls for the two-year masters for teaching to be reduced to one year, and calls for a reduction in the 25-year teachers' salary scale.

Minister for Education Norma Foley is due to address the congress this afternoon.

The TUI begin their conference in Killarney this Tuesday morning, April 2, with the issues of teacher retention, and enticing home teachers who have moved aboard for work on their list of motions.

A recent survey of their members shows that only 30% of respondents who were recently appointed received a contract of full hours when they were initially hired.

The minister will address members of the TUI on Wednesday, April 3.

Meanwhile, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) Primary Teachers Union congress continues in Derry with members due to debate a range of motions.