I'M AN Irish teacher who has been in Kent since 2001 I work almost 1,300 contracted hours a year – over 500 more than the Irish contract, according to OECD figures, writes KEVIN O'BRIEN
I also have six weeks less holidays.
I have 75 compulsory faculty and departmental meetings per year. That is an average of two per week from 4pm to 5pm. I have seven compulsory parent-teacher meetings a year, some of which run from 7pm to 9.30pm.
I also have an extra four compulsory evenings of work a year – open nights, subject options nights and presentation awards. Some principals even schedule compulsory open days on Saturday mornings.
I find the idea that Irish secondary teachers might now pull out of after-school parent- teacher meetings quite repulsive.
Professional teachers know they are accountable to parents and owe it to them to be available to discuss pupils’ progress. This is the core value system of all good schools. Teachers need a home-life balance, but 18 weeks’ holidays is ample compensation.
My day starts at 8am and finishes at 4pm. I cannot stay at home if my first lesson is at 10am. Nor can I leave the school premises during the day if I have a free lesson. I’m often needed to cover for absent colleagues.
I’m irked that Irish teachers’ pay increments are automatic. In the UK they’re subject to rigorous annual performance management targets. You fail these at your financial peril. Accountability is paramount.
We’re observed teaching six times a year to ensure quality performance, and every three years by national inspectors (Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education). Poor teachers are subjected to capability procedures.
The pay for UK teachers is also paltry in comparison to Ireland. After nine years, a teacher’s salary is capped for life at £36,000 (save for annual inflation rises). The Irish equivalent with a Master’s would be €56,000 and rises annually.
We don’t receive upwards of €6,000 in luxurious add-ons for having degrees, HDips and MAs. They’re basic prerequisites here, not feathers in your cap.
I challenge any Irish teacher to work here for two or three years and they’ll soon realise how cosy and privileged they are.
Irish teachers, it seems to me, are too cosily protected by powerful unions and a complicit Government.
They need a reality check.
- Kevin O'Brien, who is from Limerick, teaches in Kent
