Equal pay for recently qualified teachers will dominate the ASTI’s Annual Convention in Cork next week.
More than 450 second-level teachers from all over Ireland will attend the conference in the Clayton Silver Springs Hotel, Cork from April 3rd to 5th.
Since 2011, new entrants to second-level teaching are placed on inferior pay scales. They earn reduced pay throughout their teacher careers amounting to well over €100,000 by the time they reach retirement age.
A number of motions up for debate will call for progress on pay equality for recently qualified teachers and the establishment of a Salary Review Body to ensure teachers’ terms and conditions of employment attract and retain high quality graduates into the profession.
Education issues
Other topics which will be debated over the three-day annual conference include funding for second-level schools and curriculum development.
ASTI President Ger Curtin will tell delegates attending the conference that second-level schools were cash strapped even before austerity cuts were implemented in schools. Education cuts imposed on schools since 2008 have included an increase in the pupil-teacher ratio, a cut to guidance counselling provision, and a moratorium on middle management posts in schools. These cuts have not yet been fully restored.
Separately, delegates will debate a motion demanding that teachers are involved in all aspects of educational change in second-level schools. The ASTI President will tell delegates that teachers understand what makes for a quality and equitable curriculum and should be consulted at all stages of any education reform process.
Ends
