THIS WEEK’S teacher conferences have been dominated by debate over the public service pay and reform deal. It is apparent there are clear divisions within the teacher unions; the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) has narrowly backed the proposed deal while the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) and the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) are vehemently opposed. All three unions will ballot their members on the deal. Both the ASTI and the TUI will recommend rejection.
The proposed deal is by no means ideal; even its main proponents openly acknowledge this. Some of the benefits are conditional and uncertain while some of the dangers are clear, especially from the teacher perspective. Teachers are concerned the new deal – which promises a review of their contract – will fundamentally change their working conditions. There are also concerns about the possible introduction of performance-related pay, additional productivity demands and changes to pension entitlements, especially for younger members.
It may be that many of these fears are exaggerated. Minister for Education and Skills Mary Coughlan says she has no intention of “taking a machete’’ to the teaching profession. But the Minister could help to build more trust among teachers by moving to reassure them on their specific concerns about the review of the teaching contract and other issues.
That said, there are real and substantial benefits for teachers –indeed for all public servants in this deal – which must not be understated. The promise of no forced redundancies – at a time when over 400,000 are unemployed – is a commitment that is hugely envied by those in the private sector. The deal also holds out the prospect that the recent round of pay cuts could be reversed, depending on economic circumstances. Not many private sector employers have made any such commitment.
To its credit, the INTO conference slowly evaluated the merits and demerits of the deal but the absence of real debate at both the ASTI and the TUI conferences was extraordinary. Both the ASTI and the TUI appear set on a course which will see more industrial action in schools. Both also face possible isolation from Ictu. Regrettably, these unions have still to address the key question posed by many INTO delegates – what’s the alternative to the deal at a time when this State is perilously close to bankruptcy?
The other notable feature of the teacher conferences was Ms Coughlan’s support for bonus points for maths. It is a welcome response to the crisis in this key subject, which has seen a dramatic decline in student interest. Only about 12 per cent of students take higher level maths in the Leaving Certificate exam, the lowest take-up for any higher level subject. Students clearly need some incentive to take the subject while the wider economy needs a larger cohort of those with strong mathematical skills. Bonus points may not be a panacea – but they could help.