A range of subjects in second- level schools may have to be dropped because of a serious shortage of teachers, a new survey has warned. The survey by the TUI of 100 school principals found that almost three-quarters of them recently had difficulty recruiting qualified teachers.
About 16 per cent said they had no option but to leave positions unfilled for long periods. More than half had to readvertise to fill posts. The greatest shortages were in practical subjects such as metalwork, woodwork, technical drawing and engineering.
"All the skills-based practical subjects are under threat at both junior and senior levels," the president of the TUI, Mr John MacGabhann, said.
The survey also found there were shortages in science, maths, Irish and modern language teachers. There were also shortages in information technology and religious education.
The survey was conducted last month among principals of vocational and community/comprehensive schools.
Mr MacGabhann said the findings should be a matter of concern "to those responsible for the maintenance of a public education system of the highest quality". The union has submitted the results to the benchmarking body and says a significant pay rise is the only way to address the problem.
About 40 schools said they had to limit or lose certain subjects at Junior and Leaving Certificate level because of the problem.
Asked why teachers were leaving, 64 per cent said because of "better opportunities elsewhere", with 61 per cent citing failure of younger teachers to secure permanent employment. Other reasons given were inadequate pay, the onerous demands of the job and a move to another location.
Teachers leaving the profession are more commonly in the 22-34 and 50-59 age bracket. The survey said the latter group had given long and honourable service and often "simply want to explore other possibilities".
"What is not revealed by this raw data is the palpable exasperation of the principal teachers who clearly feel that many excellent teachers are being lost to our sector," Mr MacGabhann said.
Other factors, he said, included the recruitment by primary schools of qualified second-level teachers to address shortages in that sector; the cost of accommodation in main cities and a perception that teaching in "public sector schools" is especially challenging.