ONCE your eye has had its fill of one of the most spectacular views of Christchurch to be enjoyed in Dublin, it swivels naturally towards the presidential desk. In the black leather chair, sits John Mulcahy, the new incumbent.
Seven years after he claimed the nation's attention for his feats in a much better known black chair, Mulcahy seems at home in the ASTI's presidential accommodation, in Winetavern Street. A former international Mastermind champion, he modestly refers to his triumph as a case of being "lucky on the night... I probably still hold the record for the most number of passes ever".
A Cork man, he comes to the presidency of the ASTI via a BA in English, geography and maths from UCC, a higher diploma, 10 years teaching in Deerpark CBS, Cork, and 16 years in his present school, Bishopstown Community School, Cork. He now teaches geography and computer studies.
His long involvement with the union began "like many other people - I was simply told it was my turn to be school steward. The first meeting I attended as school steward happened to be the last meeting of the old Cork branch." The branch divided and new officers were required. From branch vice chairman, Mulcahy became a representative on the central executive committee. "In 1985, I ran for the standing committee and I was elected. This was a momentous year, the year of the strikes. I was quickly blooded," he says, with a cheerful grin.
The following year, he lost his seat but was appointed a trustee of the ASTI, a position he held for five years. He ran for the vice presidency a number of times and was elected last year. "That is the tough election," he explains, "the presidency is virtually automatic."
His term as vice president was spent, unusually, in ASTI head office, as he deputised for the research and education officer. "This meant taking a year off school, moving to Dublin, and spending the year as a union official. Looking back, it was hectic but a tremendous introduction to the way this office runs... it made the transition to the presidency very easy."
"Last year, in service training was one of the areas I took on. We put on a greatly expanded in service programme for our members. To a certain extent, I had to construct courses and find lecturers. That brought me into contact with a whole lot of areas and a huge number of teachers (not necessarily union activists). I found a great interest and real commitment and devotion to teaching and that people are really committed."
Many his priorities for the this year have already been set for him, he says. Top of the list is the renegotiation of the PCW deal. "In the last few weeks, we have resumed negotiations but progress is unbelievably slow. There are so many parties involved (the three unions, the Department of Education and the Department of Finance). It can be quite frustrating. There have been a lot of discussions between ourselves and the Department. This week we hope to begin joint talks with the TUI and the Department... One thing we've all learned, we'll be slow to get entangled in national agreements again.
The other item that is on the agenda is the white paper, says Mulcahy. In particular, he mentioned whole school inspection as being a contentious issue. The ASTI has responded to the Department's initial proposals and is now going to promote a discussion at branch level.
"If I was to initiate debate on a concern of my own, it would be demographic decline - the huge fall in numbers that will happen over the next decade. We've never experienced anything like it before," he says. The effects will be felt in a totally different way in second level schools to primary schools. It could have devastating consequences for subject choice and new programmes such as the Applied Leaving Certificate. It is also going to lead to a greatly accelerated programme of rationalisation, says Mulcahy.
So, what can be done? "If we want to maintain the educational service as it is at present, the pupil/teacher ratio must fall in line with the drop in pupil numbers so that schools can continue to offer the present choice of subjects. If we want to improve educational standards - and this is the message that is constantly coming back to us - we have to look at class sizes... Above all, we have to campaign strongly so that the political call for increased allocation of third level places is not done at the expense of second level education."
