The gravity of the economic crisis is still not fully appreciated by some in the education sector, Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn has said.
“When I hear appeals at this conference or elsewhere for reversals of budget measures or calls for increased investment in education, it worries me that the gravity of the fiscal crisis is still not fully understood,’’ he told delegates at the annual conference of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) in Killarney.
But his comments drew an angry response from INTO general secretary Sheila Nunan who declared: “We get it, minister.
"Our schools see at first-hand how the number of struggling families has rocketed in the five years of recession. On average today, five children in a primary classroom are at risk of poverty," she said.
About 40 teachers from small rural schools staged a silent protest as Mr Quinn addressed the conference this morning.
The teachers held up placards highlighting the key role of these small schools in community life.
Overall, Mr Quinn's address received a frosty response from delegates; many appeared frustrated with the content of the speech. This focused on the economic crisis, the forthcoming fiscal compact treaty referendum and his education reform package – rather than primary education issues.
The Minister’s speech will do little to reassure teachers and rural communities about the threat to smaller schools.
Mr Quinn said the Government fully recognises that small schools are an important part of the social fabric of rural communities.
They will continue to be a major feature of our education landscape.
But he added: "This does not mean that small schools can stand still or never have their staffing levels changed to something that is more affordable and sustainable in difficult and challenging times."
"Teachers in small schools cannot be immune from the requirement that is being asked of all public servants to deliver our public services on a reduced level of resources," he said.
In her address, Ms Nunan said government policy on small rural schools was fundamentally flawed, misguided and devoid of planning. "What is needed is a coherent, long-term and resourced strategy for sustainable schools into the future. Instead, the budget proposes to forcibly amalgamate some small schools by cutting teachers while leaving others untouched."
Decisions about small schools in rural communities should, she said, be about ensuring the best education for pupils regardless of location. "Many issues needed to be considered before embarking on a policy that will see some schools close such as enrolment patterns and trends, investment in school buildings and respect for language and religious diversity."
Primary consideration should be given to the needs of pupils, their parents and the wider community. There are alternatives to closure and amalgamations. she said.
On school patronage, Mr Quinn said our primary schools need to reflect this transformed society and provide for increased diversity. At the heart of this is parental choice.
The report of the Forum on Patronage, he said, should provide food for thought for all of us.
"That is why I am asking the Education Partners, including the INTO, and interested parties to examine this report and take time to reflect on and digest the recommendations."
"I am also studying the report’s recommendations. I will outline my official response next month. As per the commitment in the Programme for Government, a White Paper on pluralism and patronage in the primary sector will follow."
Interviewed later, Mr Quinn – who hopes that 50 per cent of schools could be divested – said he was not working to any timeframe.
Speaking ahead of Mr Quinn's address to the Teachers Union of Ireland tomorrow, union general secretary John MacGabhann said Government moves to cut teacher allowances would be in breach of the Croke Park Agreement.
He argued that cuts in education are continuing to affect the most vulnerable and schools that are already disadvantaged.
"If the Government departs from the commitments not to cut pay or to make members redundant, then all bets are off," Mr MacGabhann said.
"Allowances are an intrinsic, indivisible part of teachers' pay. Teachers' pay is protected by the Croke Park Agreement. A cut in teachers' pay would constitute a breach of the Croke Park Agreement."
The agreement, between the Government and public sector workers, was made in 2010. The former promised no further reductions in workers' pay rates from 2010 to 2014 and no compulsory redundancies.
In exchange, public servants agreed to be flexible in their work to change the way the public service runs, to help improve how it works while reducing costs.
