SUBSTITUTE COVER:THE INTO has backed a motion which calls for the retention of supply teacher panels.
The abolition of the scheme providing a panel of supply teachers to cover sick leave for some primary schools was “shortsighted” and would affect disadvantaged schools hardest, the conference was told. The scheme was piloted in 1993 and extended and made permanent in 1998.
Its purpose was to provide substitute cover for teachers absent for up to four weeks.
It also provided relief for teaching principals to allow them to concentrate on administrative duties and supply teachers were also available to host schools as an additional resource.
Fionnán Ó Súilleabháin (Dublin North West) said he had worked on the Ballymun/Finglas supply panel for over 16 years.
“It is the right of every child to have a fully qualified teacher in the classroom. Supply panels are the only means to guarantee this.
“I understand that this cut was carried out under orders from the Department of Finance in a crude, slash and burn manner with the sole aim to cull a number of permanent posts in the education sector without any thought of the consequences, especially for schools in disadvantaged communities.’’
He said the most ludicrous aspect of the cut was that little if any money would be saved as casual substitute teachers would still have to be paid. “If we allow this cut to go ahead we will be the only EU country not to have a teacher supply panel.”
Noel Morgan (Clondalkin, Dublin) described the panel of teachers as being “very familiar with the schools and pupils in this disadvantaged area. They are flexible, versatile and brilliant teachers who are doing sterling work”. Pat Crowe (Dublin West) said the decision to abolish supply panels was the clearest indication yet that teaching qualifications would be an optional extra for people substituting for absent teachers, despite the rhetoric about the knowledge economy.
