Q&A: How real is threat of widespread school closures?

How real is the risk that secondary schools could close?

It all depends on what way a vote goes next week on industrial action by members of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI). They are balloting over a number of issues which, if carried, would result in members ceasing to provide supervision and substitution cover. This has the potential to disrupt and even close schools on health and safety grounds.

If the vote is carried, what schools will be affected?

The Department of Education believes that as many as 525 secondary schools could be affected. They are mainly voluntary secondary schools which are staffed by ASTI members. However, community and comprehensive schools – where there are members of both the ASTI and the Teachers’ Union of Ireland – may also be affected.

When it this likely to occur?

We will know the result of the ASTI’s vote on Friday next. If it is in favour of industrial action, the union is likely to issue a directive to members shortly afterwards to members on when to cease supervision and substitution duties. It is unclear at this stage when such a directive might be issued. If the vote is carried, informed sources suggest it may come following the mid-term break, potentially coming into effect on Monday, November 7th.

Is talk of school closures simply scaremongering by the Department of Education to encourage teachers not to vote for industrial action?

Most teachers have voted by now, so the move is unlikely to persuade many. If the union votes for industrial action, a blame-game is likely to erupt soon over who is responsible. The department is likely to argue that teachers have caused chaos by embarking on a reckless and unreasonable industrial relations strategy. ASTI members, on the other hand, may argue that the Government has proved inflexible and unwilling to take on board its concerns.

If teachers are available to teach, but not to provide supervision or substitution, why might schools close?

While teachers would be available to teach, they would not be available to monitor break times or fill in for teachers who are sick or away on school trips. This could force the closure of schools on health and safety grounds. However, management bodies for about 500 secondary schools are planning to hire supervisors to fulfil these duties.

Who would these school supervisors be?

In 2002, schools faced a similar closure threat when ASTI teachers ceased performing supervision and substitution duties. Back then, schools hired supervisors from a range of backgrounds – following some brief training – to monitor break-times and supervise classes. This time, it is more difficult. Child protection rules mean that all supervisors would need to be Garda-vetted. This process takes about three weeks, but could potentially be fast-tracked.

Would they be hired in time – and who will pay them?

It is difficult to say whether they would be hired in time. Department of Education sources say a lead-in time of about seven weeks is the minimum needed to put arrangements in place – and even then many schools may close. They say it will take schools time to advertise positions, select candidates, and to get them vetted and trained.

ASTI sources indicate that seven weeks is far too long to expect teachers to continue working – unpaid – for supervision and substitution duties.

Under contingency plans being drawn up, the boards of management of individual schools would be responsible for hiring supervisors, while the Department of Education is understood to be prepared to make funds available.