News Vol.43 / no.3 february 2021 - Teachers' Union of Ireland
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new s
teachers’ union of ireland / AONTAS MúiNTeOirí éireANN
Vol.4 3 / no.3
fe b ru a r y 2 0 2 1
A Word from the
tui neWs
contents:
p.2 A Word From The President
President – Martin Marjoram
p.4 TUi recommends rejection of
successful campaign to
protect health and safety of
proposed public service
agreement
members
p.5 establishment of MTU regrettably, the new year opened with ill-
considered decrees risking severe
p.8 COViD-19 and education – an difficulties in some education settings,
international overview with a lack of decisions causing equal risk
elsewhere. A concerted TUi campaign of
p.10 Strong maths and since direct engagement with decision makers,
performance a tribute to irish lobbying by members and strong
students and teachers messaging in the media played an
important role in reaching satisfactory
p.12 emergency remote teaching outcomes across our workplaces. The
and learning – guidance for health and safety of members and their
members families as well as our students remain
central to all of our considerations.
p.15 TUi in the media
Announcements of a rushed reopening of
p.21 Teaching Council updates schools, as well as Youthreach and other
centres, along with a lack of clear
p.22 GAA launches Bloody Sunday TUi PreSiDeNT, MArTiN MArjOrAM
direction that saw apprentices arriving in
learning resources classrooms having travelled from various
corners of the country, all at the height of
p.24 Update on european Dear Members, an explosion in COViD-19 infections,
required a sustained and determined
continuing challenges
Commission erasmus +
projects response from TUi. i want to thank
As we enter the second month of 2021, members for your help in lobbying TDs
p.25 Consider supporting a fellow our hope for a very different year from and senators which, along with the actions
teacher in ethiopia the last and our optimism regarding the of our executive Committee and officials,
vaccine rollout are tempered by real played an important role in ensuring that
p.27 rMA News concerns about the severity of the latest sense prevailed.
surge in COViD-19, the difficulties of
p.28 Crossword emergency remote teaching and the emergency remote teaching
possibility that pressure on the political The delay in a return to face-to-face
and educational systems may lead to the teaching of course presents its own
adoption of unwise policy. difficulties. i am acutely conscious of the
eDiTOriAL Annette Dolan Seamus Lahart PrODUCTiON
Deputy General Secretary Assistant General Secretary
Martin Marjoram adolan@tui.ie slahart@tui.ie TUi News is published by the
President Teachers’ Union of ireland.
president@tui.ie Declan Glynn Anne Howard
Assistant General Secretary Aontas Múinteoirí éireann,
Assistant General Secretary
Liz Farrell dglynn@tui.ie ahoward@tui.ie 73 Orwell road, rathgar,
Vice President Dublin 6, D06 YP89.
vicepresident@tuimail.ie Aidan Kenny David Duffy
Assistant General Secretary education & research Officer
Michael Gillespie akenny@tui.ie dduffy@tui.ie T: 01-492 2588 F: 01-492 2953
General Secretary e: tui@tui.ie W: www.tui.ie
mgillespie@tui.ie Colm Kelly Patricia Keating
Assistant General Secretary Administrative Officer
pkeating@tui.ie Printed by:
ckelly@tui.ie
Typecraft Ltd.
Conor Griffin
joanne irwin
Press & information Officer
Assistant General Secretary
cgriffin@tui.ie
jirwin@tui.ie
john O’reilly
Assistant General Secretary
joreilly@tui.ie
2 february 2021 - TUi NeWS
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challenges you face with emergency decision and developments since the turn in language which will allow this measure
remote teaching and i will continue to use of the year have regrettably provided far not to be applied to future colleagues, this
all opportunities to highlight your ongoing more confirmation of that judgement than proposal will in any case only solve a
work and the magnificent contribution you we would ever have wanted. The fraction of the problem for lesser paid
have made and continue to make to the Preliminary Agenda is in preparation as i teachers leaving a gap of €80,000 in career
nation’s COViD-19 response. write and all of the necessary details and earnings still unaddressed. Furthermore,
documentation will issue to Branches and there are no measures at all specific to the
state examinations members as required. Thanks are due as other recruitment grades TUi represents
The delay in reopening schools has ever to the Standing Orders Committee in Youthreach and in Adult and Further and
generated unhelpful speculation regarding and TUi officials and staff whose work Higher education. Besides two general 1%
the State examinations. TUi remains makes this possible, and to Branches for pay increases this and next October, the
committed to state-certified, externally formulation and submission of motions. equivalent of a further 1% pay increase is
assessed examinations and, in all of our We look forward to this vital landmark in set aside either to increase salary further
engagements, has unfailingly stressed the our democratic calendar, though regretful or for a “sectoral bargaining fund”,
importance of the various leaving that we cannot yet return to meeting and whereby a union or group of unions can
certificate programmes, the additional congregating as normal. divert this money into solving outstanding
components of assessment across a range issues and adjudications, essentially inviting
of leaving certificate subjects, and the great establishment of Munster members to pay for the resolution of their
value of the junior Certificate. Since late technological university own problems.
last year, the General Secretary and i have Since 1st january 2021, two of our largest Besides balloting on the proposal itself,
represented you in a confidential process workplaces, iT Tralee and Cork iT, have you will also be balloted to renew the
of engagement regarding the state been dissolved and the Munster union’s industrial action mandate as a
examinations, including contingencies and Technological University established in means to progress our pay equality
adjustments which may be necessary in their stead. The achievement of campaign. As ever, we ask that you vote
the light of the COViD-19 crisis. This Technological University status is only YeS to renew this mandate with the
process, involving the teaching unions, the made possible by the expertise and the assurance that industrial action will be
Department, the inspectorate, the State extraordinary work over decades of taken as a last resort and with all possible
examinations Commission, the academic staff in Munster whom TUi is protections for the interests of members.
management bodies, and parent and rightly proud to represent. However, we Further details on the proposals and the
student representatives, is ongoing and has are dissatisfied with the industrial relations ballots will issue soon.
provided a forum to promote the legacy of the former employers, in spite of
consistent TUi position outlined above. the sterling efforts of local TUi important - please update
your contact information
However, at time of going to press, focus representatives to reach honourable
has shifted considerably to calls for settlements, and we will be steadfast in
calculated grades (possibly in addition to As our workplaces are shut, it is essential
defence of the agreements, both national
written examinations) and, even worse for the conduct of our ballots that you
and local, which underpin the TU process.
from our, or indeed any, reasonable update the contact information which TUi
Building Momentum -
perspective, so-called “predicted grades” has for you. even if your information has
not changed, you must access the system
meaning teachers taking full responsibility
executive recommends to confirm the information in order
rejection of proposals
for grading our students without any
process of standardisation or external for us to be able to post you a ballot
moderation. We will continue to resist The new proposed public sector paper. Please take the opportunity by
unwise policy proposals and have made agreement, Building Momentum, will be clicking the link here and note that the
clear the significant, in some cases the subject of a ballot of members in the “Union reference” field is not a required
insoluble, difficulties which would arise near future. The TUi executive Committee field if you do not have your TUi number
from them. Last year’s breach of trust is recommending rejection of the proposal to hand.
regarding class rankings has been neither because it signally fails to resolve the The difficulties of the times have required
forgotten nor forgiven, while we are also scandal of pay discrimination against a longer message from me than usual.
mindful of cynical efforts to lever from the colleagues employed since 2011. While we important supporting information on
COViD-19 crisis a permanent abolition of welcome the first modest pay increases many of the key issues is available in the
state certified examinations. proposed for public servants in more than rest of this edition.
a decade, the proposal includes only one
annual congress 2021 – inadequate measure specific to the pay With every good wish for the safety and
a remote event
equality imperative, namely an increment health of you and your families,
skip at point 12 for those appointed to the
Last November, the TUi executive decided teacher’s pay scale since 2011 (or a skip at
that Annual Congress 2021 will take place the next increment if point 12 has already
remotely. This was seen as the only viable been reached). While scandalously stated
www.tui.ie - TUi NeWS 3
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tui recommends rejection of proposed
public service agreement because of its
failure to end pay discrimination
in a meeting that took place on 15th a Sectoral Bargaining Fund to be points of scale under €50,000 of
December 2020, the executive applied in whatever form on 1st receiving €500 increases instead of 1%.
Committee of the TUi unanimously February 2022.
decided to recommend rejection of the ■ A general round increase in ‘corrosive effects of
pay discrimination
new public service agreement proposals, annualised basic salary for all public
continue to damage
Building Momentum – A New Public Service servants of 1% or €500, whichever is
Agreement 2021-2022. The decision was greater, on 1st October 2022.
taken because of the failure of the education professions’
proposals to finally and completely end
What additional
the pay discrimination affecting those in in announcing its decision, the union
measure does the
‘new entrant’ grades employed since 1st once again highlighted the recruitment
january 2011. and retention crisis that exists in second
agreement provide for level schools as a result of pay inequality.
The practicalities of conducting our
ballot are clearly impacted by the
‘new entrant’ teachers? ‘it is now the tenth anniversary of the
unilateral imposition of cuts to ‘new
current COViD-19 restrictions. The Under the agreement, ‘new entrant’ entrant’ pay, but despite progress, its
details are under consideration and teachers who have been recruited since corrosive effects continue to damage the
will be notified to branches and 1st january 2011, after progressing to education system,’ TUi President Martin
members shortly. Full details, including point 11 of the teaching salary scale will, Marjoram said.
arguments for and against the on their next increment date, move to
proposals, will issue to members in point 13. ‘regrettably, the limited measures
advance of the ballot. in a second, contained in this proposed agreement
concurrent ballot, members will be ‘New entrant’ teachers, recruited since will not end the ongoing scandal of pay
asked to renew the union’s mandate 1st january 2011, who have already discrimination for second level teachers
for industrial action in order to reached point 12 or higher on the employed on or after 1st january 2011
further advance our campaign for an teaching salary scale, will on their next and the proposed agreement does not
end to pay discrimination. increment date after the commencement address it at all for the other recruitment
of the Agreement, move one point grades in which TUi represents
The Union acknowledged and welcomed further than they would under normal members.’
the fact that these proposals provide for incremental progression.
general pay increases, the first for public ‘There has been a teacher recruitment
servants in over ten years. in taking the and retention crisis at second level for
What does the
many years now as a result of pay
decision, TUi also recognises the severe
discrimination, with a survey carried out
agreement provide for
financial difficulties caused by the
in over 130 second level schools last year
pandemic to so many working people.
the other recruitment
showing that over the previous twelve
However, ten years on from the months, 97% of schools had experienced
imposition of cuts to 'new entrant' pay,
grades in which tui teacher recruitment difficulties while 77%
represents members
the Union could not recommend had advertised positions to which
acceptance of proposals that would nobody applied.’
continue to see colleagues paid lesser employed after
1st January 2011?
rates of pay for carrying out identical ‘As recently as February 2020, TUi’s
work. 19,000 members, including those not
personally affected by pay inequality, took
What do the proposals
While the proposals provide a limited
improvement for second level teachers strike action over the continuing
provide for in terms
injustice.’
appointed after 1st january 2011 (see
of pay?
above) they do nothing to redress the
‘even with this proposed agreement, the
ongoing pay discrimination in other ‘new largest pay discrimination would still
entrant’ grades represented by TUi occur in the early years of employment.
■ A general round increase in
including Assistant Lecturer,Youthreach New entrants to second level teaching
annualised basic salary for all public
resource Person, BTei Adult educator, would still earn €6,500 or 15% less upon
servants of 1% or €500, whichever is
Adult Guidance Counsellor/Co- appointment than someone who entered
greater, on 1st October 2021.
ordinator, Adult Literacy Organiser and the profession prior to 2011. The loss in
■ The equivalent of a 1% increase in Community education Facilitator other career earnings would still be over
annualised basic salaries to be used as than the slight advantage applying to €80,000.’
4 february 2021 - TUi NeWS
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tui welcomes establishment of Mtu, but
outstanding industrial relations issues must
be addressed and ongoing consultation with
union essential
The TUi has welcomed the establishment TUi has secured resources to facilitate Tralee) are preparing to ballot members
of the Munster Technological University active branch engagement including on the WrC proposal regarding Phase 2
(MTU), highlighting the significant consultation and negotiation relating to of the Memorandum of Understanding.
contribution made by members to the the development of technological in addition, members will have a second
process. However, the Union has warned universities. ballot for industrial action should the
that outstanding industrial relations WrC proposal be rejected.
issues must be addressed. The union has created inter-branch
structures to allow members have a TUi members in Cork institute of
Simon Harris TD, Minister, Department direct input into the development of Technology and the institute of
of Further and Higher education their technological university. Clearly, Technology Tralee have always been
research, innovation and Science, meaningful local consultation and central to the development of a model of
(DFHeriS) approved the designation dialogue is critical to progressing plans to higher education provision that will work
date of the 1st january 2021 for MTU, become a technological university, and best for students and the broader
formed from the merger of Cork where local negotiations have not community that they serve.
institute of Technology and institute of progressed, industrial relations concerns
Technology Tralee. MTU is the second can arise. MTU management should be aware that
technological university to be established TUi members are willing to contribute
in ireland, the first being Technological The designation of MTU is welcome to the development of the technological
University Dublin in 2019. Other and the significant contributions made university. However, all outstanding
consortia of institutes are currently in by TUi members to achieve a industrial relations matters must be
the process of pursuing technological technological university in Cork and resolved. The new technological
university status. Kerry must be recognised. The union university has a unique opportunity to
notes that the road to MTU was difficult. work in partnership with members in a
in advance of the establishment of MTU, With the assistance of the Workplace positive and constructive manner,
the two institutes agreed a recruitment relations Commission (WrC), a number underpinned by real and ongoing
and selection process for the position of of industrial relations matters have been consultation; failure to do so would
President. The successful candidate was addressed. represent a lost opportunity. TUi will be
Professor Maggie Cusack, Dean of insisting that all agreements, national and
Faculty of Natural Sciences University of Currently, the two Branches (Cork local, are adhered to by MTU and by the
Stirling, Scotland, UK. Colleges and institute of Technology Department.
tui makes donation to debenhams workers
and calls for definitive action from
Government to end protracted dispute
in December, the TUi made a €12,000 We also fully support the demand of them by Labour Court Chairperson
donation to the Debenhams workers still Mandate and the iCTU that legislation be Kevin Foley. The proposal document
on the picket line. The donation, which implemented to give effect to the stated that the Government would
was proposed and accepted by the Duffy/Cahill report which could prevent establish a €3m training, upskilling and
Union’s executive Committee, was a small other workers suffering a similar scenario business start-up fund, but crucially,
practical expression of solidarity with in the future. prevented the workers from accessing
these workers. cash from the fund.
in addition, TUi commends the workers
TUi has echoed the call of Mandate on the inspirational courage and elected shop stewards from Debenhams
trade union for immediate, definitive resilience that they have displayed for will now determine the next steps in
action from the Taoiseach and the over six months. their campaign for a fair redundancy
Government to end the protracted package and changes to legislation to
dispute which has now lasted for several At the time of going to print, ex- ensure workers are not treated like this
months. Debenhams workers have voted in the future.
overwhelmingly against proposals put to
www.tui.ie - TUi NeWS 5
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annual congress 2021 to take place
remotely
Due to the ongoing restrictions as
a result of the national health
emergency, TUi’s Annual Congress
will take place remotely in April
2021. The event had been due to
take place in Killarney, Co Kerry.
Keep an eye on the Union’s
communications channels for
updates and full details on the
schedule and format of the event.
in 2020, TUi’s Annual Congress
took place online on 22nd june
2020, with a Special Congress
taking place on 7th November
2020.
digital Wellbeing series and digital Gym
now available to all school staff
the digital Gym:
This provides up to 4 gym classes per
day, be it HiiT training, yoga, mindfulness,
Pilates and more. Access recordings or
join the live class.
how do i access these
services?
register for the Department of
education Wellbeing Together
Online Portal:
https://wellbeingtogether.spectrum.
life/login
To register for the first time, use
organisation code: ylViiU17
For anyone experiencing difficulties
signing up to the online portal/app please
contact support@spectrum.life.
employee Assistance Service (eAS) digital Wellbeing series: For anyone experiencing issues in
provider Spectrum.Life is launching a The school community will have access accessing the Digital Series, or Digital
Digital Wellbeing Series and Digital Gym to a monthly, theme based, 4-part series Gym when on the portal please contact
for all school staff. focused on a seasonal and relevant issue, hello@spectrum.life.
delivered by a health and wellbeing
This service is streamed through the presenter, and joined by a relevant
Wellbeing Together Online Portal expert.
(Desktop version).
6 february 2021 - TUi NeWS
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# # #
The information requested is essential and required to
enable the union provide a service to members and will be
used for balloting and communications purposes.
The information will not be used for marketing. The union does have GDPR data sharing agreements with some companies in order
! #
! # " #
www.tui.ie - TUi NeWS 7
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an international overview - what is the
impact of coVid-19 on the profession
and on education workers?
The following is an a reported decrease in self-efficacy teacher policy:
excerpt from a research
and job satisfaction; an increase in
government responses
workload and stress; and a negative
One data source on teacher
document by Education impact on staff wellbeing and mental
policies is a survey on the
health.
International (of which COViD-19 responses of Ministries
of education conducted by the
TUI is an affiliate) While there is no global evidence
UNeSCO institute for Statistics in
about the impact of the pandemic
titled COVID-19 and on workload, stress levels and
collaboration with UNiCeF and the
World Bank. The data was collected
Education: What Do wellbeing among education staff, data
june-September 2020 and includes
collected by education international
We Know So Far? - and its members to date suggest a
findings from 149 countries.
A briefing for Education dramatic impact on teachers as well
Some of the findings highlighted here
as on education support personnel.
International member diverge from the experiences shared
by education unions. The full data set
organisations Based on data from the 2018
includes data provided by national
Teaching and Learning international
Ministries:
Survey (TALiS), the OeCD has
argued that work-related stress is an
The conversation about the impact ■ 63 million primary and secondary
important predictor of teacher
of COViD-19 in education has rightly teachers were affected by school
attrition. in view of the increase in
tended to focus on school/education closures. in three quarters of
work-related stress among teachers
institution closures and the related countries, teachers continued to
due to the pandemic, the OeCD
interruptions to learning, and teach during the closures and the
makes the following
implications for the wellbeing and majority of these countries
recommendations:
welfare of students. However, failure reported no changes to teacher
to consider the changing nature and salaries or benefits;
“Governments must ensure that
conditions of teaching as well as
teachers feel compensated for
education support provides an ■ 1 in 3 countries recruited
the additional stress they are
incomplete picture of the impact of additional teachers to support
experiencing by giving them
the pandemic on school communities remote learning during the
satisfactory working conditions.
and on education systems as a closure of schools and their
Ensuring that teachers are
whole. reopening, mostly high- and
enabled to participate in school
governance and given support to upper-middle-income countries;
education unions are playing a crucial
participate in continuous
role in analysing and addressing the ■ 1 in 4 countries reported
professional development are two
impact on the workforce, shedding recruitment of additional staff
ways to achieve that in this
light on the changing conditions of such as cleaning and
difficult period of continuous
work and the necessary investment administrative personnel during
change.”
and support structures for the the reopening of schools;
profession. Many unions have
collected data in their national
■ 66% of countries reported that
contexts, highlighting changes in teachers received instructions on
expectations and pedagogical how to deliver lessons through
practice; lack of training and support; remote learning;
8 february 2021 - TUi NeWS
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■ 1 in 3 countries reported of digital technologies in teaching and well as on the new conditions in
providing their teachers with iCT learning as the most urgent area for which teachers and education
tools and free internet training. support personnel are now working.
connectivity to facilitate their The experience and expertise that
work during the school closures; As for the impact of digital the profession has built in addressing
technologies on health and wellbeing, the COViD-19 crisis over these
■ Psychosocial and emotional respondents considered workload months of emergency response is
support was provided in more intensification the greatest concern, invaluable to charting the way
than half of high- and upper- followed by work-life balance and forward.
middle-income countries, and in health concerns. A third of
26 per cent of lower-middle- respondents indicated that teacher in addition to undertaking research
income countries. wellbeing in relation to digital and surveying members, education
technologies was not addressed in unions can highlight areas for further
any policy instrument in their research, particularly related to the
a new digital reality: country. rights, status and conditions of
the changing nature of
teachers and education support
teaching and learning
personnel. Unions are strategically
conclusions positioned to make use of social and
policy dialogue to engage with
ei’s survey about the future of work Data and evidence continue to be governments and make the case for
in education, Teaching with Tech: the collected, particularly at the national more and better data and evidence to
role of education unions in shaping level, and over time we will know inform educational policymaking that
the future, included questions on the more and better understand how the advances and protects the human
impact of the pandemic. The survey SArS-CoV-2 virus is transmitted and rights to universal education and to
confirms that new digital technologies risks are best mitigated. However, it decent work in a new COViD-19
were introduced in education in most will take a considerable amount of reality.
countries following school/education time before we know the full impact
institution closures, and suggests that of the pandemic. in the interim,
this was done without consulting education unions have a crucial role
education unions: 45 % of responding to play in contributing to assessments
unions had not been consulted at all, of the impact on this generation of
while 29 % had been consulted on a students, on the workforce and on
few aspects. equity within, and quality of, education
systems. This is why education
reflecting on the role of unions in international called on governments
assessing technologies already in use, to conduct equity audits of education
almost three quarters of respondents systems and institutions in light of the
said they are not involved and that pandemic as a matter of urgency and
there are no structures or processes developed a Guide to support
in place for union involvement. member organisations in their
advocacy and efforts in this direction.
The survey also shows that a majority
of respondents considered that The perspectives of the people within
teachers’ training needs on digital the profession are essential for
technologies were insufficiently met understanding the impact of the
or not met at all, highlighting the use pandemic on teaching and learning, as
www.tui.ie - TUi NeWS 9
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www.tui.ie - TUi NeWS 11tui neWs
emergency remote teaching &
learning in a coVid-19 context
Guidance for TUI members*
Partial or full Does a teacher have to teach A teacher who undertakes this role
school closure
that student remotely? does so within her/his timetable, i.e.
provision is made within her/his
owing to coVid-19
Not necessarily. A number of options are
normal class contact hours to engage
available, one or more of which can be
in supporting students who are
used:
learning from home.
The school is required to Schools should ensure that teachers
close on foot of public health 1) Peer support who are facilitated to work from
A peer could be nominated within the
advice, what is expected of class to update the student who is
home are provided with an
me? appropriate digital device and the
medically certified to remain at home
All teachers who are medically fit to work, requisite training.
owing to COViD-19. The student who
including SeTs, are available to work is at home may feel well enough to
remotely and should provide emergency 7) support from local education
submit work to the teacher either
remote teaching to all students in their centre
electronically or via post.
subject class/es or on their caseload. Schools may seek the assistance of
their local education Centre to
Substitute teachers should be arranged to 2) school’s digital Platform source a teacher to meet the needs
provide remote teaching for students in The student may access lesson
of student/s medically certified to
classes whose teacher has been diagnosed content via the school’s digital
stay at home owing to COViD-19.
with COViD-19 and is medically unfit to platform if a teacher wishes to upload
Local education centres will co-
work or is absent owing to another illness content and the student has access to
ordinate/ connect teachers from
and is on sick leave. a digital device.
other schools to assist.
All students in a class/year 3) Posting learning Materials
8) support from other
group are advised to self- The teacher may, if s/he chooses, send
schools/within etB
learning content to the student via
isolate or restrict their post.
A group of schools - for example,
movements. What do I do? schools within one eTB or schools
within a local geographical area - may
You should provide emergency remote 4) live stream a class
teaching to all students in your class/es in decide to organise a cluster of
The teacher may, if s/he chooses, live-
the year group, using the school’s digital teachers and to match students and
stream her/his class to the student/s
platform(s) or other agreed method as teachers.
at home.
outlined below.
9) support from other teachers
5) Blend direct teaching and self-
within the school
directed learning
Schools may use their existing,
School is open as
The teacher may, if s/he chooses, use a
allocated teaching resources to meet
combination of both direct teaching
the needs of students who are at
normal but student/s
by the teacher and the assignment of
?? ?
home due to COViD-19.
independent learning tasks for
medically advised to
completion by the student/s.
10) support from a teacher who
is restricting her/his
self-isolate or restrict 6) support from very high-risk
teachers who are working
movement
movement due to
A teacher within the school who has
from home
? ?
been advised to restrict her/his
Some teachers have been certified as
COVID-19
movements but is medically fit for
?
being at very high-risk from
work can support emergency remote
contracting COViD-19 and cannot
A student is on medically teaching and learning for individual
therefore return to a physical school
students or classes, in line with
certified COVID-19 absence, setting. These teachers are being
Circular 0049/2020.
?
i.e. advised to self-isolate or facilitated to work from home and
? ? ?
may be used to support the student/s.
restrict her/his movement.
12 february 2021 - TUi NeWStui neWs
role of the subject sourced on-line. They are not a If a teacher engages
teacher
recording of the teacher’s lesson/s. remotely with a student,
■ provide regular opportunities for the
What is the role of the student to interact with her/his peers what additional supports will
subject teacher (i.e. the in the relevant subject classes through be given if the student also
online video conferencing and/or has special educational
teacher within the school collaborative learning activities, such
who is not working remotely) as project work, which can be carried needs?
out online. The Special education Teacher (SeT)
in facilitating students who should plan to provide any additional
are learning remotely? support. The support should be as
Subject teachers who decide that they If a teacher working in the closely aligned as possible with that which
themselves can most appropriately school is supporting would normally be available in the
address the practicalities of adapted, student/s learning remotely, physical setting of a school.
emergency education provision may share
communication with
key teaching points of lessons and
is there any change to
her/his teaching contract?
Parents/Guardians
activities with the student/s using the
school’s online digital platform. No. Such a teacher is only required to
teach the number of hours s/he is
contracted to teach with her/his
Will a teacher who is
The subject teacher can also provide or
recommend resources, including books school/eTB. teaching the student/s
and/or packs of materials, that are remotely be required to meet
role of a teacher regularly with
relevant to the planned lessons, for use
assigned within a
by the student.
parents/guardians?
school/etB to assist
regular contact/check-ins with
in circumstances where a subject teacher
parents/guardians and students will be
students who are
in the school decides that s/he cannot
essential to establish how the students
appropriately address the adapted
learning from home
are experiencing the adapted, emergency
education provision, s/he may, at his/her
education provision.
discretion, co-ordinate the support for
the student through liaising with a As a teacher assigned by the
The conduct and frequency of
designated teacher with expertise in the school to assist students contacts/check-ins must be clearly
subject who is supporting the student
remotely. working remotely, what do I communicated to parents/guardians. This
do? contact will be scheduled in a manner
As designated teacher you will be that is consistent with the right of
in circumstances where a subject teacher
teaching the students remotely and will teachers to personal/discretionary time
in the school decides that s/he cannot
be allowed further time, from within and cannot give rise to additional
appropriately address the adapted
timetable, to ensure frequent contact workload. The designated teacher should
education provision and there is no
with the subject teacher(s). You should liaise with the subject teacher on the
designated teacher with relevant subject
strive to support the learning progress of the student.
expertise available from the student’s
own school or indeed from another experiences for the student in the subject
consultation on
school in the local area, the local in a way that aligns with the learning of
education Centre will advise the school the student’s peers in her/his subject
adapted education
of the teachers available in the region class, insofar as possible and practicable.
who have the required expertise.
provision
supports
Should this approach be taken, the subject
teacher should advise the teacher who is What supports should a
teaching the student of the topics the school put in place to enable Who decides which option/s
student has covered to date and a student who is on a to use?
periodically check-in on the student’s Consultation, on a whole-staff basis, must
progress. medically certified COVID-19
?
take place at school level in relation to
absence to engage remotely? the option/s most appropriate for
Ifa subject teacher decides School management should arrange for
the student (and teacher) to have access enabling engagement with
to support a student learning to relevant digital technology and other parents/guardians and students.
remotely, what happens? resources, as appropriate. Consultation is very important as
Such a teacher could, using technology: teachers will know best which option (or
?
Following appropriate consultation with combination of options) will be most
??
■ allow the student to connect staff, school management must also set appropriate for their students.
remotely (using school-supported clear, reasonable expectations about the
digital devices) to the live class taking level of support the school can provide to Schools will select the most appropriate
place within school. both the student and her/his approach/es for their individual context
? ?
■ send the student video recordings of parents/guardians. following consultation and agreement by
?
practical activities, or links to such
staff. it is acknowledged that different
?
? ?
recordings. These videos may be
? www.tui.ie - TUi NeWS 13tui neWs
approaches may be needed owing to a
recording of lessons early school-
leavers or
range of factors, including the iCT skills of
teachers and students. If a teacher decides/is
students who are
assigned to support students
What is consultation?
anxious about
who are learning remotely
Being presented with decisions as a fait owing to COVID-19, is s/he
coVid-19
accompli or being told what is going to
required to record her/his
happen is not consultation.
Consultation must be a genuine lessons and send them to the
engagement that seeks to reach student`s? Are schools required to adapt
agreement regarding matters raised No. Teachers are not required to do this education provision for
(either by management or staff). All the and are advised not to do so. Students students who are anxious
information necessary for fully-informed should, as far as possible, interact with
the teacher online during and in about returning to school or
decision-making should be provided.
accordance with the normal timetabling students who are in the high-
Very high-risk
of her/his subject in the school. risk category (not “very high-
risk”)?
teacher working
A teacher could, using technology: No. However, schools are required to
■ allow the student to connect
remotely
engage with these students in the same
remotely (using school-supported manner as they would have done prior to
digital devices) to the live class taking the COViD-19 pandemic.
If a teacher (medically place within school.
certified as being at very ■ send the student video recordings of Are schools required to adapt
high-risk from COVID-19 practical activities or links to such
education provision for
and, therefore, working from recordings. These videos may be
home) is supporting sourced on-line. They are not a students who are at risk of
student/s from other schools, recording of the teacher’s lesson/s. early school leaving?
is there any change to ■ provide regular opportunities for the No. However, schools are required to
her/his teaching contract? student to interact with her/his peers engage with these students in the same
No. The contractual relationship with the in the relevant subject classes through manner as they would have done prior to
teacher’s own school/eTB is unaffected online video conferencing and/or the COViD-19 pandemic.
and a teacher therefore is guided by the collaborative learning activities such as
policies of her/his own school. Such a project work which can be carried If I have a student who is at
teacher is only required to teach the out online. risk of early school-leaving
number of hours s/he is contracted to
or is anxious about returning
teach with her/his base school/eTB.
teacher self
to school, should I record
If a teacher (at very high- her/his attendance/absence
isolating or
risk and working from home) in the usual fashion?
is supporting student/s from
restricting her/his
Yes. Where students have not returned
other schools using all to school, despite the efforts made by
movement
her/his contracted hours, is schools and others, educational Welfare
s/he required also to teach Officers will engage with, encourage, and
her/his normal class/es in support these students and their
her/his base school? As a teacher who has been parents/guardians to facilitate a return to
No. Such a teacher, teaching remotely advised to self- school.
from home, is only required to teach the isolate/restrict my
school policies
number of hours s/he is contracted to
teach - nothing further.
movement, what is expected
of me?
if the teacher’s normal contracted hours Any teacher who is medically fit for work All school policies that are relevant to
but has been advised to restrict his/her emergency remote teaching must be
are part-time, s/he may undertake
movements is available to work remotely
additional hours up to a maximum of 22 updated, for example, data protection,
in line with Circular Letter 49/2020.
hours per week (inclusive of 21 hours 20 iCT acceptable usage and child protection
minutes of class contact and 40 minutes policies.
of junior Cycle professional time)
*This guidance is based on consultation, at national level, with the Department of Education,
provided that the additional hours are
relevant statutory agencies, management bodies and the TUI.
agreed, reflected in a revised contract and
in salary.
Source document ‘Guidance on Emergency Remote Teaching and Learning in a COVID-19
Context for Post-Primary schools and centres for education’ can be found at:TUI’s School
Re-Opening Drive - https://tinyurl.com/yb34t5sk
14 february 2021 - TUi NeWStui neWs
tui in the media
TUI representatives have engaged with the media in relation to a number of
issues of concern to members recently. A small sample is set out below.
The Teachers’ Union of ireland particularly in Deis schools, are
(TUi) is to oppose the proposed reliant on phones for remote
new public service pay agreement. learning, which is not ideal. - TUI
The TUi leadership said “the General Secretary Michael
limited measures contained in the Gillespie, RTE’s Morning
proposed agreement will not end Ireland, 5/1/21
the ongoing scandal of pay ________________
discrimination for second level
‘The proposed opening of schools
teachers employed on or after 1st
for some students will bring larger
january 2011.” - Irish Times
numbers of people into confined
15/12/20
spaces at a time when the
________________ unambiguous public health advice
Teachers’ Union of ireland general is to do the exact opposite. We TUi PreSiDeNT MArTiN MArjOrAM, rTe’S PriMe TiMe, 21/1/21
secretary Michael Gillespie said think this is dangerous, it’s risky, it’s
that the delay in reopening must gambling and we weren’t ‘We’ve had hundreds of members ‘This was a ministerial decree.
be used to ensure that schools are consulted about it.’ - TUI contacting us about what they see That’s not the way to bring
as safe as possible. General Secretary Michael as a reckless decision, and one on people with you.’ - TUI
“Now that this announcement has Gillespie, RTE’s Drivetime which we were not consulted, President Martin Marjoram,
been made, it is vital that the 6/1/21 which cannot be implemented Sunday Business Post,
additional time be used to ________________ either safely or practically.’ - TUI 10/1/21
investigate what additional safety President Martin Marjoram, ________________
‘We were not consulted in this.
measures and enhancements may Virgin Media News bulletins
We’ve no confidence that this plan ‘There is tremendous trust and
be required in schools,” he said.” - 7/1/21
can be implemented safely and confidence in the traditional
Irish Examiner 31/12/20 practically as early as next ________________ Leaving Cert, for all its flaws.
________________ Monday.’ ‘We’ve no confidence that this can
The introduction of calculated
‘The european Centre for Disease ‘it’s never too late to do the right be done safely. We have to
grades so early in school year
Control has said that the new thing, and we think we need a remember that schools are
would place ‘enormous stress’ on
variant is 50-70% more virulent, so period of consultation and workplaces, they are employers,
school community.’ - TUI
we have serious concerns about emergency remote teaching for a they have an obligation to their
President Martin Marjoram,
schools re-opening in that short period of time while we see employees in terms of health and
Newstalk’s The Pat Kenny
situation.’ - TUI General where exactly we are with this safety.’ - TUI Assistant
Show, 16/1/21
Secretary Michael Gillespie, unprecedented level of infection, General Secretary Joanne
Today With Claire Byrne particularly to see how far it has Irwin, Today FM’s Last Word ________________
4/1/21 extended into the school programme 7/1/21 ‘important to acknowledge the
________________ community.’ ________________ amount of work going on right
‘There is a level of concern rising, now in terms of remote
‘The right place for everybody is The Teachers’ Union of ireland has
quite frankly, to people being teaching… all the feedback is that
face-to-face, and schools should welcomed the decision “now
terrified, that i’ve never seen it’s going much better than the last
open as soon as possible, but in a taken, somewhat belatedly, by
before in all my time as a union time it had to happen…we will
sustainable manner. Schools stayed Government to finally do the right
representative. At a time like this, continue to engage with
ahead of the curve before thing”. it said its members would
at the most acute crisis we face Government in order to deal with
Christmas, but contact tracing was not be attending their workplaces
with this virus, this is not the time issues…’ - TUI President
key to this. That is what worries us for in-school teaching next
to shift from a consultative Martin Marjoram on RTE’s
most is that the contact tracing Monday, “or on subsequent days,
approach to just having ministerial Prime Time programme,
isn’t in place. Schools are in a but will be available to provide
decrees with no consultation in 21/1/21
better place in terms of remote emergency remote teaching and
learning than they were last March advance.’ - TUI President to support their students
and April.’ He highlights that Martin Marjoram, RTE’s including, in particular, students
broadband is a problem in many Morning Ireland programme with special educational needs”. -
areas while some students, 7/1/21 Irish Times, 8/1/21
MArTiN MArjOrAM, rTe NeWS, 7/1/21 MArTiN MArjOrAM,VirGiN MeDiA NeWS 7/1/21
www.tui.ie - TUi NeWS 15tui neWs
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matters
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18 february 2021 - TUi NeWStui neWs
Great
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www.tui.ie - TUi NeWS 19
The Plan is underwritten by
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Entries close on March 19th, 2021.tui neWs
updates provided by the
teaching council
contacting the teaching considerable effort in iT system in a timely manner so that they can
council development and upgrade, testing and
additional staffing the process rolled out,
renew their registration when it falls due.
re-vetting notifications are issued to the
The Teaching Council currently operates resulting in the registration of over 3,400 relevant teachers 6 months in advance of
a number of dedicated phone lines and summer graduates by September. their renewal dates. Teachers who are
email inboxes. These are managed both currently registered or previously
registered with the Council may submit
standard registrations
on-site in the Council offices and off-site
with a view to providing continuity of the required documentation including a
service. Currently the phone lines are scanned signed consent form by email.
The Council continues to receive an
open from 10am-12pm and again from
unprecedented high volume of
droichead
3pm-5pm. These times were chosen to
applications for registration. in
align with teachers’ morning breaks and
approximately 30-50% of cases the initial
after school while providing time for
application is incomplete resulting in The Droichead process has continued to
Council staff to follow up on any queries.
delays to the individual involved and grow again this year with more NQTs
The Council is receiving a very high
others. Therefore applicants are advised applying every week. As of 19 November
volume of emails and phone calls. Where
to read the Guidelines which accompany 2020, there were 2,607 NQTs availing of
possible teachers are asked to email the
the application form in advance of the process in 1,287 schools, of which
Council including their Teaching Council
submission to the Council. there were 1,365 post-primary teachers
registration number (TCrN) on all
across 507 post-primary schools. Any
communications.
NQT who commenced the process in the
The standard processing times for 2019/2020 school year, but was unable to
updating contact
applications is 6-8 weeks for teachers complete that process before june, should
details
holding irish accredited qualifications. if submit their Form D with the details of
teachers hold qualifications gained the completed elements. This will be
outside the State this timeframe extends attached to the teacher’s record and will
The Council is asking teachers to log
to 12 weeks. This is to allow for the be banked so that only the outstanding
onto My registration to double check
qualifications to be assessed to ensure elements have to be completed at a
that their contact details are correct and
comparability to the standards set down future date.
to update them if necessary. Teachers
by the Council. These timeframes are
who have eircom emails will be asked to
similar to those of other regulatory
registration database
update their information. Also a number
bodies both within and outside the State
of shared email accounts have been
and they adhere to the legislative
identified and communications will be The Teaching Council is working on the
requirements as set out by the eU
issued to those involved requesting them development of a new replacement
Directive 2005/36 eC as amended. These
to create an individual email account. database which will support the
processing timeframes only commence
once a fully complete application including streamlining of processes. The system
nQt fast-track summer
supporting documentation is received. once implemented will allow full online
processing of applications and offer
registration Process efficiencies in terms of the application
The past summer was particularly
re-Vetting processes/timelines. Currently the system
is at development and early testing with a
challenging and the Council redesigned The mainstream re-vetting of teachers on view to going live in Q2 2021. Further
and implemented an online registration a three-year cycle re-commenced in communications will be issued to all
process to ensure that the increased October 2020 when 8,000 of the circa registered teachers, unions, managerial
number of NQTs would be registered in 40,000 teachers who have a renewal date bodies nearer the time.
time for the start of the 2020/2021 in March 2021 were requested to apply
school year. This was further for re-vetting. The majority of these
compounded by the delay in final exam teachers have now complied and will be
boards in the colleges due to the able to renew their registration in March.
pandemic resulting in a 2-4 week shorter Teachers who are requested to submit a
registration period. Having invested re-vetting application are advised to do so
www.tui.ie - TUi NeWS 21You can also read
