Hopes of averting school closures were boosted last night with school managers predicting most schools would be able to open when ASTI action begins next month, write Sean Flynn and Emmet Oliver, Education Staff
School managers say they have been overwhelmed by the response from the public to advertisements seeking supervisors at a minimum daily rate of €68. The thousands applying for the job include former teachers and gardaí and at least one former airline pilot.
Last night, Mr George O'Callaghan, general secretary of the Joint Managerial Board, said: "I am now in a position to confirm with some certainty that the majority of schools will be able to open on March 4th." This is when ASTI members plan to withdraw from supervision/substitution duties.
Efforts to break the deadlock in the dispute will intensify later today when arrangements are made for a meeting between ASTI, the other teachers' unions and the Minister for Education, Dr Woods. ASTI members have rejected the Government's €34 per hour offer on supervision. The union has raised the stakes by tabling a series of new demands including payment for retired teachers and a doubling in the annual payment for supervision.
Education sources say there is virtually no prospect of any resolution to the dispute. One said: "The Cabinet is firmly of the view that the ASTI demands are outrageous. The Government will hold firm".
ASTI is to hold a special executive meeting in Limerick next week to discuss the pending ban on supervision.
In a bulletin sent to schools yesterday ASTI warned that disciplinary action would be taken against members who refused to obey the directive banning supervision work. The bulletin also said members could continue to supervise detention and paid evening study. But they cannot cover for colleagues on formal exchanges with schools in Northern Ireland or those taking students to third-level colleges. It says mock exams will be supervised in the normal way.
On the question of possible docking of pay, it says this was a matter for the Department. It is understood the Department will shortly seek legal advice on this issue. But it seems unlikely that any deductions will be made.
The bulletin says any disciplinary problems which occur when non-teachers are supervising should be referred to the board of management in the school. But it says teachers are legally obliged to intervene if they see unsupervised pupils engage in dangerous activity in the classroom.
Meanwhile, tensions within the union continue to simmer after an acrimonious standing committee meeting last week. The meeting was divided on the question of whether to enter talks with Dr Woods, but union president, Ms Catherine Fitzpatrick, used her casting vote to support negotiations. Last night, an ASTI spokesperson said motions seeking a special executive meeting from some 25 members were received before the controversial vote.