TBH:TO BE HONEST An unheard voice in education
THIS NEWSPAPER RECENTLY highlighted the issue of the substantial reduction in the salary package for new entrants to the teaching profession. The situation is in fact far worse than the public realises.
It looks as if there is going to be not only a two-tier salary package for teachers new and old, but now a three-tier system which divides newly qualified teachers along a ridiculous line.
Any teacher trainee who managed to secure one day of work as a substitute teacher before January 1st 2011 avoids the salary reductions. As a result, there are teachers who qualified this year who are earning €6,000 more than their counterparts – all because they taught in a school on an unqualified basis for one day.
Some “new entrants” who have completed 40 days substitute work before to the 1st February 2012 have qualified for their various allowances, such qualification allowances for master degrees.
Other “new entrants” who failed to secure the 40 days will now have their allowances paused pending a review. If these allowances are not reinstated, such teachers will be earning €4,000 to €5,000 less than other new entrants. In total, for those who qualified using the postgraduate route, their net pay will have been reduced by €5,200 per annum or €10,000 gross.
Principals are concerned that the impact of these cuts will not serve to create a harmonious and united staff room, as teachers in the same room will be on significantly different terms. The United Arab Emirates is offering tax free salaries of €33,000 per annum to primary school teachers with their accommodation paid. School principals fear that there is going to be an exodus of teachers to countries such as the UAE as what is on offer is vastly superior to what is available here.
What astounds and horrifies me is the inequitable nature of the new measures taken by the Department of Education and Skills (DES). For personal reasons, I am not in a position to go to the UAE but if circumstances were different, I would leave.
In addition to these inequalities, the DES has not managed to pay recently qualified substitute teachers the correct rate of pay since September 2011.
On average the DES has been underpaying substitute teachers to the tune of approximately €50 per day. As of yet, I have not been paid the qualified rate for teaching since I started. As a result, over Christmas I was forced to contact the St Vincent de Paul for assistance. The DES does not care. Substitute teachers are deemed to be second-class citizens.
This column is designed to give a voice to those within the education system who wish to speak out anonymously. Contributions are welcome. Email sflynn@irishtimes.com
