News VOL.40 / NO.3 December 2017 - Teachers' Union of Ireland
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TUI NEWS CONTENTS: p.3 A Word From The President Pay increases/restoration p.4 PSSA ballot result & Public due to TUI members on Service Pay and Pensions Bill p.5 Third level protests 1st January 2018 p. 7 TUI calls for 1% corporate tax Unless the Union is deemed to have more than €110,000) that was imposed levy for higher education repudiated the relevant national under the terms of the Haddington p.8 Doing more with less – Latest agreement, the following pay increases Road Agreement. The first half of the OECD Education At A Glance are due to TUI members from 1st restoration occurred on 1st April 2017. indicators January 2018. This restoration will bring the relevant scales back to 2010 levels. For those p.10 Important dates to Annual Teachers appointed since earning in excess of €110,000, remaining Congress 2018 tranches of restoration will be paid on 1st January 2011 p.12 Croke Park Hours – Your 1st April 2018 and 1st April 2019. Second half of restoration of value of rights and responsibilities the Honours Primary Degree Allowance In addition: explained for teachers employed since 1st p.16 Global Schoolroom February 2012. The first half of the value 1% increase to all scales programme extends to Sierra of the allowance was added to scale on The Union’s clear position on the Public Leone and Kenya 1st January 2017. From 1st January 2018, Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) and there will be an amalgamated scale for the Pay and Pensions Bill is set out p.18 Retrospective Vetting update all teachers appointed since 1st January elsewhere in this magazine. However, if from the Teaching Council 2011, incorporating the full value of the TUI is deemed to be ‘covered’ by the p.19 Update on curriculum Honours Primary Degree Allowance. As agreement (i.e. not to have repudiated a result, in addition to the increases for it) the 1% increase will apply to all scales development those appointed since 1st February on 1st January 2018. p.20 Palestinian school supported 2012, some of the points on scale for by TUI destroyed those appointed between 1st January Other increases due under the 2011 and 31st January 2012 will also PSSA are: 1% on 1st October 2018; p.22 Application form for two pre- increase. 1.75% on 1st September 2019; retirement seminars in early 2% on 1st October 2020. If the Union 2018 Teachers and lecturers were to be deemed not to be covered p.23 RMA News earning over €65,000 by the Agreement (i.e to have repudiated it), each of the four increases p.24 Crossword with €250 prize Second half of the restoration of the pay will be subject to a nine-month delay. cut to salaries over €65,000 (but not EDITORIAL PRODUCTION Annette Dolan Bernie Ruane TUI News is published by the Deputy General Secretary Assistant General Secretary Teachers’ Union of Ireland. adolan@tui.ie bruane@tui.ie Aontas Múinteoirí Éireann, 73 Orwell Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6. Declan Glynn David Duffy Joanne Irwin Assistant General Secretary Education & Research Officer President dglynn@tui.ie dduffy@tui.ie T: 01-492 2588 F: 01-492 2953 president@tui.ie E: tui@tui.ie W: www.tui.ie Aidan Kenny Nadia Johnston Seamus Lahart Assistant General Secretary Administrative Officer Printed by: Vice-President akenny@tui.ie njohnston@tui.ie Typecraft Ltd. vicepresident@tuimail.ie Michael Gillespie Conor Griffin Assistant General Secretary Press & Information Officer John MacGabhann mgillespie@tui.ie cgriffin@tui.ie General Secretary jmacgabhann@tui.ie Colm Kelly Assistant General Secretary ckelly@tui.ie 2 December 2017 - TUI NEWS
A Word from the President – Joanne Irwin February 2012 is due on this date, as is OECD indicators endorse the second half of the pay restoration for those earning over €65,000. work of Irish educators The latest international indicators show New entrant pay issues that teachers and lecturers continue to Along with colleagues from the ASTI and excel in their roles despite low levels of INTO, TUI representatives met with investment in education, generally officials from the Department of Public working longer hours and catering for Expenditure and Reform to scope out more students than their international issues around new entrant pay. It was counterparts. We’ve set out some of the agreed at the meeting that updated data main findings in graphic form elsewhere was required to inform the process. The in this magazine. They are useful in union has entered this engagement in countering some common good faith, and it does not in any way misconceptions. For example, ill-informed TUI PRESIDENT, JOANNE IRWIN compromise our position on the PSSA. discourse over the length of the Irish As the ballot results show, TUI members school year holds little water when one considers that Irish teachers teach annual Non-acceptance of remain united in the campaign for pay hours far in excess of OECD and equality, irrespective of whether they proposed agreement entered the profession before or after European norms. As you will be aware, TUI members 1st January 2011. Keep an eye on the overwhelmingly chose to not accept the website and the union’s social media Croke Park hours – proposed Public Service Stability platforms for any update on this process. Your rights and Agreement (PSSA) in a national ballot by a margin of 87% to 13%. Separately, a responsibilities Third level protest and Following numerous requests from strong mandate was given by members to engage in a campaign of industrial action, corporate levy as a funding members, we’ve included an overview of up to and including strike action, to mechanism the various rights and responsibilities of secure a fair and sustainable resolution to In late September, academic staff at teachers in terms of Croke Park hours. the issue of pay inequality. While the Institutes of Technology protested This guide is featured in the centre pages proposed agreement was accepted by an outside their workplaces over the of the magazine for easy reference. If aggregate of affiliated unions, TUI, ASTI continuing damage being caused to their there are any other areas that you would and INTO all voted against its acceptance. sector by chronic underfunding. TUI like to see covered in a similar way, please TUI has made clear that, as is its tradition, members also protested outside Dáil don’t hesitate to let us know. it will decide itself whether or not to be Éireann and the offices of the HEA. bound by the aggregate vote. Separately, TUI supported USI’s national Play your part demonstration in Dublin in favour of Once again, with the end of the calendar In addition, the Union strongly criticised publicly funded higher education. At any year in sight, I would urge members, the Public Service Pay and Pensions Bill, and every opportunity, TUI has called for particularly those new or relatively new which, through a range of a 1% corporate levy to create a to the profession, to play an active part in disproportionate penalties, seeks to bully dedicated fund for investment in higher their Union by attending branch meetings the members of unions who choose not education. It is the very least that and considering becoming part of their to comply with national agreements. corporations, which derive so much from Workplace Committee or taking up a the country’s education system, could do role as Branch Officer.You are your Pay increases/restoration to show their allegiance to Irish society. It Union. Help to define and shape the on 1st January 2018 would be a fitting and appropriate policies and priorities of the Teachers’ Details of pay increases due to TUI solution to a problem that worsens with Union of Ireland as we move forward members on 1st January are set out every passing week, a crisis that into a new year. elsewhere in this magazine. The Government has abjectly failed to restoration of the value of the second address. half of the Honours Primary Degree Allowance to those appointed since 1st www.tui.ie - TUI NEWS 3
TUI NEWS TUI members vote not to accept proposed Public Service Stability Agreement and give strong mandate for industrial action TUI members, by a large majority, voted not TUI representatives brought the ballot result to accept the proposed Public Service to a meeting of the ICTU’s Public Services Stability Agreement (PSSA) in a national Committee (PSC), where the agreement was ballot in September, and, with particular accepted by an aggregate vote of affiliated reference to pay inequality, mandated a unions. However, TUI made clear that it will, campaign of industrial action, up to and as it has previously done, make its own including strike action, to secure a fair and sovereign decision. It is longstanding policy sustainable resolution. that the union will decide for itself whether or not to be bound by an aggregate vote of The Union’s Executive Committee had unions of the PSC in matters affecting terms recommended rejection of the proposed and conditions of employment. agreement because, as framed, it would effectively copper-fasten a system of pay Members of both INTO and ASTI have also inequality for its three- year duration. rejected the proposed Agreement in national ballots – the INTO in May, the ASTI in Throughout the negotiations that led to this October. proposed agreement, TUI clearly and unambiguously identified the issue of pay Initial meeting regarding new entrant equality for those appointed on or after 1st pay issues January 2011 as being of primary importance. Following acceptance of the PSSA, the PSC TUI has prioritised and campaigned on this sought earlier commencement of the issue and has made some important progress, examination/review of issues related to new most significantly through the reinstatement entrant scales. The TUI was represented at an of the value of the Honours Primary Degree initial meeting of the review on October Allowance (in two tranches) for those 12th. employed since 1st February 2012. However, under the PSSA proposals, the issue of new INTO and ASTI also attended, along with entrant pay would not be further examined other public sector unions and officials from until 2018, with application of any outcome the Department of Public Expenditure and no sooner than 2021. Members have Reform. It was agreed at the meeting that emphatically decided that this block on detailed, updated data is required to inform further progress for the next three years is the process. That data is being provided by unacceptable. the relevant Departments. Bill ‘a heavy-handed, oppressive effort to coerce compliance’ - TUI TUI has criticised the content of the to coerce compliance with an agreement of austerity is clearly still in the ascendant. Public Service Pay and Pensions Bill that, in its current form, leaves a gross 2017, describing the sanctions it sets injustice intact in terms of pay inequality. TUI calls on fair-minded politicians of all out for non-compliance with the parties and none to reject the oppressive Public Service Stability Agreement TUI of course recognises that when approach set out in the Bill and we will be (PSSA) as ‘outrageous’.The Bill, which industrial action is taken, there are, in the making strong representations to them in was published on 7th November, normal course of events, consequences. this regard. allows Government to inflict a range However, the consequences mapped out in the Bill are entirely disproportionate and TUI makes no apology for its demand that of punitive measures on members of perverse. They would have the most pay equality should apply and that new and those unions considered to be outside damaging and dramatic effect on precisely recent entrants to teaching and lecturing the PSSA, including a freeze on the same new and recent entrants to the should not suffer discrimination. increments until 2020 and a nine- month delay on the payment of public service who have suffered Along with other unions which rejected the increases. discrimination and pay inequality by virtue agreement, TUI has recently engaged in simply of the date that they commenced good faith with Government on the issue of However, if the Union is deemed to be their public service employment. pay inequality. The publication of this Bill ‘covered’ by the agreement (ie not to have The outrageous sanctions set out would must not be allowed to impede or delay the repudiated it), the punitive measures will pursue the punished to the grave. We have necessary and just process of eliminating not apply. been told by Government that the pay inequality. Regardless, the Bill represents a heavy- emergency is over. However, the anti-public handed, oppressive effort by Government service attitude that characterised the era 4 December 2017 - TUI NEWS
TUI NEWS TUI protests over damage to Institute of Technology sector Academic staff staged lunchtime protests in third level participation was welcome, outside Institutes of Technology, Dáil the complete failure by successive Éireann and the Higher Education governments to provide appropriate Authority (HEA) offices on 27th funding and to maintain appropriate staffing September over the funding crisis within levels had been hugely damaging to the their sector, in which TUI represents over sector, the working conditions of academic 4,000 members. staff and the educational experience of students. Speaking on the day, TUI President Joanne Irwin said that while the significant increase Between 2008 and 2015, student numbers (continued overleaf) Lunchtime protests outside Institutes of Technology, 27th September www.tui.ie - TUI NEWS 5
TUI NEWS Dáil protest, 27th September within the Institute of Technology sector As a result of the fall in lecturer numbers Academic workload in the Institutes of rose by 21,411 or 32%. Over the same and the steep rise in student numbers, Technology is disproportionate, unfair and period, the number of lecturers fell by 535 lecturer workload has increased unsustainable, and with lecturing delivery or 9.5%. considerably. Findings of a survey carried hours significantly above domestic and out by TUI (April 2015) show that lecturers international norms, academic staff are The latest international data shows that were experiencing high levels of work- severely restricted in terms of their spending on third level in Ireland is just related stress as a result of cutbacks and engagement with research. TUI has urged 1.1% of GDP, more than 30% below the rationalisation of the sector, and we believe the Department of Education and Skills to OECD average of 1.6% that the situation has worsened since then. engage with us on the crisis. March for publicly funded third third level education, 4th October 6 December 2017 - TUI NEWS
TUI NEWS TUI supports TUI calls for 1% corporate tax levy for higher education student TUI has again called for the application of an campaign in additional 1% levy to corporation tax to create a dedicated fund for investment in higher education. favour of publicly funded The union has highlighted how such a measure would have raised an additional €588m in funding for the higher sector in 2016. The Cassells expert group reported education last year that the sector will require additional annual funding of €600m by 2021. TUI also supported the The corporate sector consistently derives benefit Union of Students in from Ireland’s deep and excellent graduate labour Ireland (USI) national pool which is largely the product of the public demonstration on 4th education system - funded by taxpayers. The October in favour of introduction of a levy would further enhance the publicly funded higher quality of the graduate labour pool, the capacity of education. Union institutions to meet evolving need and, ultimately, the President Joanne Irwin and sustainability of the enterprises that contribute to the other TUI representatives fund. marched with thousands of students and other Ultimately, students and their families would benefit stakeholders through from the application of the levy TUI is advocating, which, in addition to improving the education Dublin to a rally in experience, would largely remove the need for a system of income contingent loans. Increasing Merrion Square, where IT tuition fees, let us remember, is privatisation in a flimsy disguise. Tallaght lecturer Martin A levy would represent a wholly appropriate contribution by corporations that would allow them Marjoram emphasised the counter the perception that they have no allegiance to the society from which they benefit so much. importance of the USI campaign and outlined the The union notes that corporation tax is payable only in respect of profits made by companies and negative impact of the organisations and that, while the nominal rate of this tax is 12.5% - significantly below the funding crisis on the international norm - the effective rate is considerably lower still. Considerations of corporate student experience and responsibility, social equity, the maintenance of public funding of higher education and the the quality of provision in undesirability of further increasing the cost to students of participation in higher education argue an address to those strongly for a tangible and substantial contribution by corporations that is channelled through the assembled. taxation system. New Executive Committee members There have been two recent changes to the Executive Committee, with Les Begley and Brendan Greene taking up the Area 7 and Area 12 positions, respectively. Sincere thanks are extended to Leonard O’ Donnell and Martin Killeen for their hard work and dedication on behalf of members over the course of their terms of office. Area 7 Area 12 ETB areas: C&C counties: Kerry, Cavan, Donegal, Galway, Co. Limerick Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan, Roscommon, LES Sligo and Westmeath BEGLEY (Youthreach/VTOS BRENDAN centre, Killorglin Adult GREENE Learning Centre, (St Clare's Comprehensive Killorglin, Co. Kerry) School, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim) Elected unopposed Elected following a ballot of Replaced Leonard members in Area 12 O’ Donnell as Area 7 representative. Replaced Martin Killeen as Area 12 representative www.tui.ie - TUI NEWS 7
TUI NEWS Important dates to Annual Congress 2018 15th September 2017 Nomination forms for annual elections issued 18th December 2017(R) Last date for receipt of motions from Branches, Executive Committee and Security Fund Committee to Head Office for 27th March 2018(R) Last date for receipt of questions on the Annual Report and submission to Standing Orders Committee. Annual Accounts. 8th January 2018 Last date for receipt of nominations for positions of Vice- 3rd April 2018 Annual Congress opens Note: President, Security Fund Committee (1 vacancy), Standing Rule 13 (ii) which reads as follows determines the number of Orders Committee for Areas 10 and 19 and Area delegates: Representatives for the following areas: “One delegate from each Branch of which the members in Area: 1 Wicklow, Kildare, Laois and Carlow benefit do not exceed thirty and one delegate for each 3 Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath fraction of thirty, as per the following table: 5 Tipperary N.R., Clare and Limerick City 7 Kerry, Limerick County Members Delegates 9 Cork City and Cork County 11 Galway City, Galway County and Mayo 1 - 30 1 13 C&C Schools in Counties Cavan, Dublin, Kildare, 31 - 60 2 Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Wicklow 61 - 90 3 15 Third Level Colleges – Dublin (excluding City), 91 - 120 4 Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Meath, Kildare, Offaly, Laois, Wicklow, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford 121 - 150 5 17 Third Level Colleges - Cork, Tipperary and WIT 151 - 180 6 19 Third Level Colleges – Kerry, Limerick, Clare, and so on”. Galway, Mayo. Please note that nominations will close at 2.30 p.m. on 8th In-benefit members for the purpose of arriving at the number January rather than 5.00 p.m. of delegates to the Annual Congress are fully paid-up members for the month of December whose subscriptions have been received by the General Secretary on or before the 18th January 2018 last Friday in February, i.e. Friday, 23rd February 2018. Issue of ballot papers for elections Delegates to Annual Congress shall be elected by their Branches at the Annual General Meeting or at a properly 30th January 2018(R) convened Branch Meeting where the item appears on the Preliminary Agenda will issue to Branches Agenda 5th February 2018 25th April 2018 Last date for receipt of annual election ballot papers Last date for receipt of nominations for the position of President. 13th February 2018(R) Last date for receipt of: ■ amendments to Preliminary Agenda 11th May 2018 Ballot papers for election of President will issue. ■ order of priority for motions in each section ■ names of delegates to Congress 30th May 2018 Last date for receipt of ballot papers for Presidential election. 13th March 2018(R) The Final Agenda will issue; also the General Secretary's Note: (R) = Under Rule Report; Balance Sheet and Financial Statement; names of delegates to Congress and the Branches represented. 10 December 2017 - TUI NEWS
TUI NEWS Annual Congress 2018 3rd – 5th April 2018 Congress 2018 will take place in Wexford. It will be held in the Clayton Whites Hotel, Abbey Street, Ferrybank South, Wexford. Reservations for accommodation during Annual Congress can be made with the following hotels: Maldron Hotel Wexford Tel: 053 9172000 Email reception.wexford@maldronhotels.com €100 per single room per night B&B €75 per person sharing per night B&B in twin/double room €25 per child from 5 – 14 years. Bookings must be made before 6th February 2018 to avail of the above rates. Ferrycarrig Hotel Tel: 053 9120999 Email reservations@ferrycarrighotel.com €130 single room per night B&B €70 per person sharing per night B&B Children 0-3 years comp. 4-12 an extra €20 per child per night B&B Bookings must be made before 20th February 2018 to avail of the Reservations above rates. Reservations should be made directly with the hotels. There are no booking forms required. Talbot Hotel Wexford Tel: 053 9122566 Crèche Email reservations@talbothotel.ie Further information regarding the crèche, including application €125 per single room per night B&B forms, will be sent to you at a later date. €85 per person sharing per night B&B Bookings must be made before 20th February 2018 to avail of the Meals at Congress above rates. All meals will be available in the Clayton Whites Hotel. 11 www.tui.ie - TUI NEWS
TUI NEWS CROKE PAR YOUR RIG RESPONSIBILIT As members are acutely aware, hours dedicated to specified school-related activities have become formalised over the past fifteen years, both through collective agreements, and, latterly by imposition. The Croke Park Hours commitments should be considered in conjunction with those set out in Circular Letter M58/04: Arrangements for Parent/Teacher and Staff Meetings. Circular Letter initial mechanism for scheduling the It should be clearly noted that remaining 23 hours: consensus is required for all M58/04: Arrangements blocks of hours exceeding 2 for Parent/Teacher Paragraph 3 of Circular Letter hours. Where the hours do not 25/2011: exceed 2 hours, consensus is not and Staff Meetings required, although best practice is that (a) School management may designate the scheduling involves consultation • One staff meeting per term the usage of the… hours in blocks with the teaching staff. of 1 or 2 hours (save in the case of • Three formal parent/teacher additional parent/ teacher meetings The circular also sets out the meetings per year where the existing time provisions requirement that the school calendar set out in Circular M58/04 will be issued to staff at the apply). Except as set out at (b) commencement of the academic year below, these will be scheduled over (paragraph 8): the course of the 167 day school Croke Park Hours year and the time period should be The usage of the additional hours will scheduled outside the normal school be outlined as appropriate in the 1. Hours on ‘a whole- hours. school calendar which is made school basis’ available to the school community at The provisions of the Croke Park (b) Where there is a consensus the commencement of each school Agreement provided for a among the school staff to so year. commitment of an additional 33 non- do, school management may utilise teaching hours per school year for all or part of the hours in question Typical activities carried out on a teachers working in Post-Primary and outside of the 167 days during whole-school basis include Further Education settings. The terms which the school is open for tuition. supplementary parent/teacher of the agreement became operative Similarly, where there is a meetings, CPD for the whole staff, for schools in February 2011. consensus, school management may supplementary staff meetings, open utilise all or part of the hours in nights/days etc. TUI has negotiated an increase to 10 blocks of more than 2 hours over (of the 33 hours) available that can be the course of the 167 day school used on other than a whole-school year. In such event, the time period basis (see next section). should be scheduled outside the Circular Letter 25/2011 sets out the normal school hours. 12 December 2017 - TUI NEWS
TUI NEWS RK HOURS GHTS AND IES EXPLAINED 2. Hours on ‘other than a For clarity, each whole-time whole-school basis’ teacher is entitled to schedule 10 Part-time and of the 33 hours using their own Job-Sharing Staff The most recent circular letter setting professional discretion. The out usage/scheduling of 10 of the 33 Job-Sharing and part-time staff reference to “up to and not in excess Croke Park hours on ‘other than a have a pro-rata obligation in of” is to enable a teacher to choose whole school basis’ is Circular Letter respect of the Croke Park not to use all of the 10 hours for 48/2017 which amended previous hours. planning and development work on circulars to clarify: other than a whole-school basis and to participate in more than Jobs-sharing staff are expected …with effect from the beginning of to (As set out in the Job-Sharing 23 hours of whole-school events if the 2017/18 school year, an amount Chapter of The Terms and they so wish. of time up to but not in excess of 10 Conditions of Employment for hours (of the 33 hours) will be Registered Teachers in Typical activities carried out on available for planning and Recognised Primary and Post other than a whole-school basis development work on other than a Primary Schools, Chapter include subject department whole-school basis and as approved by 9 – Job Sharing Scheme, planning, attendance at subject management. Paragraph 6): association meetings, CPD in one’s own time etc. Best practice, in relation to the • Be present for 11.5 hours of verification and accountability to whole-school Croke Park For full details on the Croke management, and in relation to the hours Park Hours, see Circular Letters approval of management, is that each • Undertake 5 hours of the 25/2011, 43/2014 and 48/2017. teacher submits a plan for their Croke Park hours on personal usage of these hours to ‘other than a whole school For further details on management, early in the academic basis’. parent/teacher meetings and year, for approval. In order to assist staff meetings, see Circular management in accounting for these Part-time staff have a similar Letter M58/04 hours, teachers should, where possible, pro-rata obligation, dependent supply attendance certificates for CPD on their quota of hours attended or a short minute of meetings held. A template for such a minute is appended to Circular Letter 43/2014. www.tui.ie - TUI NEWS 13
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TUI NEWS Global Schoolroom programme extends to Sierra Leone and Kenya With a ten-year track record in India, Global Schoolroom, supported by TUI and the other teacher unions, is entering into an exciting new stage in its mission to eradicate poverty, promote economic development and build sustainable communities through the provision of quality education. For the first time, programmes are being introduced to Sierra Leone and Kenya. Pilot Teacher Education Programme, Sierra Leone, July 2017 Six Global Schoolroom tutors travelled to Sierra Leone in July for three weeks, where they worked with teachers from seven schools in the Bombali and Kono Districts. Approximately 120 teachers participated in seminars, workshops, lectures and other activities as part of Year 1 of the Global Schoolroom Teacher Education Programme. The teachers learned how to create effective learning environments. Classroom management skills, teaching This student in St Joseph’s School Makeni designed this poster to methodologies and educational psychology were amongst the other topics covered. The teachers are participating in Year 1 of a welcome the Global Schoolroom Tutors three-year programme with Global Schoolroom. Welcome from the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny The Global Schoolroom tutors received a warm welcome from the Global Schoolroom is working with schools that are under the patronage of the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny in Sierra Leone. The teachers and the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny in Sierra Leone. The sisters ensured that the Global Schoolroom tutors were students in the schools were very curious about the tutors from comfortable, safe and made feel welcome throughout their stay in Ireland and had lots of questions for them. Sierra Leone. Sr Catherine Jarra, the Provincial of the West African Official Opening of the Global Schoolroom Teacher Vice Province of the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny, visited the Global Education Programme, Makeni, Sierra Leone, July 2017 Schoolroom tutors and participating teachers to wish them every Ms Agnes Kamara, Deputy Director for Education in the Bombali success with the programme. Sr Catherine Jarra, a former teacher, District, officially opened the Global Schoolroom Teacher emphasised the importance of having well trained teachers in Education Programme in Makeni. As a representative of the Sierra Leone to improve the education system in Sierra Leone. Minister for Education, she wished the teachers success in the completion of the Global Schoolroom Teacher Education Programme and she looks forward to seeing the positive results in the participating schools. She indicated that she would like to see Global Schoolroom’s teacher education programme delivered in many other schools in the Bombali District in the future. Sr Catherine Jarra, Provincial of the West African Vice Province of the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny TO APPLY FOR A PLACE ON THE GLOBAL SCHOOLROOM 2018 SUMMER PROGRAME FOR SIERRA LEONE OR OTHER LOCATIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.GLOBALSCHOOLROOM.NET AND School children looking forward to their school holidays COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION FORM 16 December 2017 - TUI NEWS
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TUI NEWS The following text has been provided by the Teaching Council Retrospective Vetting Update The wellbeing of children and vulnerable are asked to comply with both stages of the process.You can take a screenshot of the persons is a central element of the vetting application process in the 28 day vetting status screen to present to your professional responsibility of teachers. This timeframe specified in order for you to be employer. is why the Teaching Council has included a eligible to renew your registration on your requirement to be vetted as part of the renewal date. The DES Circular 0016/2017 sets out the registration process since 2007. statutory requirements for the Due to the high volume of applications that retrospective vetting of teaching staff. The It is vitally important that we ensure that all are being received and processed at statutory vetting requirements for teachers registered teachers are vetted in order to present, the turnaround time for changing schools/jobs continue to apply as ensure continuing public confidence and applications once received has increased set out in DES Circular 31/2016. trust in the profession. from one week to approximately four weeks.You can log in to the National Vetting More information is available at the FAQ At present, 83% of the 97,000 teachers on Bureau website and use your vetting section of the Teaching Council website the Register have been vetted. Since the application number to check the status of which has Retrospective Vetting FAQs for start of 2017, the Teaching Council has your application. teachers and Schools/Principals. The FAQ successfully facilitated the vetting of more section of the Department of Education and than 16,000 of the 32,000 registered If you have been previously vetted through Skills' website also provides information teachers who had not been previously the Council, you are exempt from the regarding the retrospective vetting process. vetted through the Council. retrospective vetting requirement.You can check your vetting status by logging on to The Council would like to thank you for On 11 September, the Council issued the My Registration section of the Teaching your cooperation and collaboration in notices to the remaining 16,500 registered Council website www.teachingcouncil.ie. If ensuring that the Register of teachers will teachers who are now required to be your vetting status is “approved” then you consist of 100% vetted teachers. vetted. If you are one of these teachers, you are exempt from the retrospective vetting TUI Golf Society The TUI Golf Society finished its season with the playing The weather was beautiful, the golf very good and a great of the Captain’s (Denis Magner) Prize on 23rd time was had by all, with many of the group expressing an September in Roscrea Golf Club. Though windy, it was interest in returning to the same place next year. an otherwise fine day but scoring was difficult. The first event for the 2017/18 golfing year is a two day stay Results of the Captain’s Prize are as follows: in Kells playing the new captain’s home courses of Headford • Winner of Men’s Cat 1 - Denis Magner Old and New Courses at a cost of €175 per person sharing. • 2nd in Men’s Cat 1 – Gerry Kelly New members are always welcome. The sub is €20 a year - • Winner of Men’s Cat 2 – Pat McNamara payable to Subscription Secretary Tommy Buckley, 10 Verbena • 2nd in Men’s Cat 2 – Eugene O’Sullivan Park Sutton, Dublin 13. • Winner of Ladies – Josephine Fitzpatrick • 2nd in Ladies- Angela Doherty Thanks to Paul Roche, Austin Stewart and TUI Credit Union for • Captain’s Prize Winner – Tom Buckley their support, especially for sponsoring the Golfer of the Year trophies. Please support the TUI Credit Union when saving or Results of Golfer of the Year investing money. • 3rd Tom Buckley - 90 points • 2nd Kieran Walsh - 92 points • Winner – Denis Magner - 98 points The presentation was then followed by the AGM and the following were elected: Captain: Kieran Walsh Treasurer: Tommy Glynn Subscription Secretary: Tommy Buckley Time Sheet Organiser: Don Ryan Other Committee members: Denis Magner, Finola Butler, Angela Doherty and Paddy Hogan. The Golf Society had their annual trip abroad to Tavira in Portugal. They stayed at the four star Maria Nova Hotel and during the week they played at the following clubs: Benamor Golf Club, Quinta Da Vale Golf Club, Quinta Da Ria Golf Club and Castro Marim Golf Club. 18 December 2017 - TUI NEWS
TUI NEWS Child Protection Update on Curriculum Update Development In October 2017, Minister Zappone T.D., Minister In Ireland, the power to prescribe the curriculum is vested in the Minister for for Children and Youth Affairs, announced that all Education and Skills under the Education Act 1998. However, such decisions remaining provisions of the Children’s First Act are informed by extensive work undertaken by the National Council for 2005 would be enacted from December 11th 2017. Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). A wide range of stakeholders is represented on the NCCA including the teacher unions and management The commencement of the provisions means that bodies. Since the start of the 2017/2018 academic year, a number of new obligations attach to organisations providing developments of interest to TUI members have taken place, as summarised services to children to prepare and publish a Child below. Safeguarding Statement. Child Safeguarding Statements must be completed within three months of the date of enactment. The enactment Junior Cycle of the provisions also means that a new legal responsibility will now attach to ‘mandated Specifications for Music, Geography, History and Home Economics persons’. TUI members should note that ‘mandated have recently been completed. persons’ specifically includes teachers. A consultation process is also ongoing in relation to the the upcoming revision of Religious Education, Classics, Maths and the suite of Tusla has published a suite of documents to advise Technology Subjects in Junior Cycle. Members are encouraged to read organisations and staff in relation to the updated the background paper and submit their views to the NCCA. and expanded requirements. Those documents are All relevant information is available at available from the Tusla website at http://www.juniorcycle.ie/Curriculum/Consultation www.tusla.ie/publications. The TUI has been in discussions with the Department of Education and Skills regarding the Leaving Certificate revised obligations. The TUI has repeatedly asked for training to be provided to schools, teachers and A consultation process will soon open for Applied Maths. boards of management to ensure that all The specification for Economics has recently been completed. stakeholders are aware of their responsibilities, and to ensure that all children are protected. These discussions continue but the TUI is deeply concerned that the DES has not yet clarified what, if any, training is going to be provided. The TUI has made clear that, in the absence of training in how Leave of absence following to determine whether a ‘reasonable concern’ of abuse exists, all members should report any assault suspected cases of child abuse to the Designated Following extensive negotiations, a scheme providing leave of absence for Liaison Person as soon as possible. Members teachers following assault has been agreed between the DES, teacher unions should note that all schools must have a Designated and school management bodies. This scheme is separate from the general sick Liaison Person, usually the Principal Teacher, and a leave scheme. Deputy Liaison Person, usually the Deputy Principal Teacher or Guidance Counsellor. Real concern This issue had been pursued by TUI officials with the DES for a number of exists that, despite the best efforts of staff involved, years, and the scheme will be in place for an initial two years on a pilot basis. Tusla does not have the resources available to deal, in a timely fashion, with any increased number of Full details are set out in Circular Letter 61/2017, which provides for: reports of suspected abuse that may arise due to the revised reporting requirements. • A recording of incidents of assault. Tusla has provided an online training module on its • Assault leave to be available where there is a medically certified physical website for all people and organisations working injury requiring absence from work. with children. The TUI has welcomed this online • Provision for up to three months’ assault leave at full pay in a rolling four- module but has made clear that it cannot substitute year period (with an extension to six months on full pay in exceptional for face-to-face training that allows teachers, school circumstances). leaders and school boards of management to ask ‘what if’ questions. • Substitute cover for assault-related absences. The TUI continues to discuss with the DES the • A teacher’s sick leave record not being affected by such absences. issues of training, legal responsibility, and the availability of information. In the meantime, the TUI How can a teacher apply for assault leave? urges members to familiarise themselves with the revised obligations. The TUI will update members An application form (Appendix A of Circular 61/2017) must be completed by when further information becomes available. the teacher concerned and by the employer and forwarded by the employer to the Department/ETB within a week of the incident occurring. www.tui.ie - TUI NEWS 19
TUI NEWS Palestinian school supported by TUI destroyed on eve of new school year By Muireann de Barra,TUI member The start of the school year was expected to be a happy one for the children of remote Palestinian West Bank village, Jubbet Al Dheeb, with the opening of a new school built with the support of the TUI Third World Development Fund, the EU and International NGOs, among others. Hopes were dashed, however, when news broke on the morning of what was to be its first day, that the school had been dismantled and chairs and tables confiscated overnight by order of Israeli authorities. This left families, teachers and the wider community in shock. It is reported that the confiscation order was presented on the same night as the demolition. The school was built to relieve children of the burden of having to walk an hour each TUI member Muireann de Barra at the proposed site of the school at Jubbet Al Dheeb with way to the nearest school, while the community members in April 2017 prospect of a new school offered hope of a sustainable future for the children. ‘epitomises the administrative cruelty and construction in Area C, which comprises The wilful destruction of the school systematic harassment by authorities more than 60 percent of the West Bank, received international media attention designed to drive Palestinians from their requires a building permit, 98.5 percent of (CNN, Independent UK, Al Jazeera) and was land’. which are denied according to the UN. widely condemned. Belgium demanded that Israel defended its actions by saying the Commenting on the destruction of the the Israeli authorities provide ‘explanations school was built without the necessary school, TUI President Joanne Irwin as well as compensation’ to the community. permissions. The community has since described it as ‘repressive’ and ‘repugnant to The EU also condemned Israel’s actions. submitted a planning application to build a the values of true educators and an Israeli Human rights organisation B’Tselem permanent school on the site. Any outrageous attack on children’s rights.’ criticised the actions saying that it Visiting Palestine By Billy Fitzpatrick, former President,TUI From the roof of ‘The Star’ hotel in all the schools - primary, secondary and TUI members, and for union members Bethlehem, an Israeli sniper team fixed even kindergartens – in the city. For to cease all academic cooperation with on a randomly-chosen student in the three years. Israel. nearby University of Bethlehem. 18-year- For these and other related events over Recently, I was part of a visiting Irish old Ishaq Abu Sror collapsed to the a prolonged period, Palestinian civil group that stayed in the same hotel ground, shot through the heart. society called for a worldwide boycott referred to above. University students and staff took of the Israeli state, including its academic to the streets in protest. Thus began the On our first one-hour visit to the institutions. In 2013, TUI Congress first Intifada (‘casting-off’), a series of childrens’ education and hobby centre in carried a resolution calling for the ICTU largely non-violent strikes and the Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem, we to intensify its campaign for boycott, demonstrations. were collateral victims of two gas divestment and sanctions (BDS) against attacks carried out by the Israeli army The Israeli government responded to the apartheid state of Israel until it lifted on stone-throwing kids in the street the protests by shutting down the its illegal siege of Gaza and its illegal outside. This is not teargas, we were told, university, for three years. They showed occupation of the West Bank, and agreed but a type of CS gas banned in Europe. contempt to world opinion, outraged at to abide by International law. It also the course of events. They closed down called for an awareness campaign among Our programme was multi-faceted and 20 December 2017 - TUI NEWS
TUI NEWS we took in a visit to the Jewish Settlement Palestinians. We had to walk in single file of Kiryat Arba, near Hebron. We learned down its ‘streets’. The inhabitants’ discipline, that most settlers come from abroad, pride and orderliness are astonishing. mainly the USA and Russia. The rabbi was However, a gas attack here can have serious from Chicago. We heard elsewhere that consequences. low-income workers in Israeli, who cannot Palestinian refugees have had to endure this afford house prices there, are also Kafkaesque nightmare for almost seventy encouraged to transfer to the settlements years now. Nevertheless, a common refrain in occupied Palestine. They are all given from West Bank community leaders Palestinian land, mortgage-free, and the throughout the week was that things were foreigners granted Israeli citizenship rights ‘infinitely worse in Gaza’. simply by claiming to be of Jewish descent or, alternatively, by converting to Judaism on On the final night, our Bethlehem tour application. A former student of mine from company hosted a dinner and a Crumlin in Dublin is one such settler. performance by a traditional Palestinian dance troupe. As we left, a scattering of We found that even Palestinian Special Palestinian kids clapped us out calling ‘Bye, Needs centres are subject to harassment bye, we love you!’ Walking a few paces and the dreaded ‘permits’ regime. We ahead of us, I could see that fellow TUI visited one on the outskirts of Jerusalem member, Finbar Geaney, was deeply the day before the children were due to affected. For him and others this was take a few days holiday in the Jordan Valley. probably the hardest moment of all. The permits still hadn’t arrived by mid- afternoon. This happens every single year, Note: members can access an Irish Times the director told us, so that nobody can report by a former RTE broadcaster, who ever relax or look forward. was a member of our group. Search words: Former Executive Committee member Mike Murphy, Degradation of the Palestinians, We visited a refugee camp, this time near Finbar Geaney holds spent gas cartridge on the Irish Times. Nablus. The camp is one kilometre square roof of the Aida Children's Centre in area and is home to 28,000 displaced PROFESSIONAL CER PROFESSIONAL T/DIPLOMA CERT/DIPLOMA IN SPECIAL & INCL INCLUSIVE USIVE EDUC ATION EDUCATION FFlexible lexible Online Specialist Award Award TAKE THE NEX TAKE NEXTT STEP IN YOUR C YOUR AREER CAREER TThe he Proffessional C Professional ert/Diploma is a specialist qualifica Cert/Diploma tion qualification desig ned tto designed o equip educa educators tors tto o rrespond effectively espond eff ectively tto ffec o the div erse needs of pupils in ttoday’s diverse inclusivee schools oday’s inclusiv and classr ooms. classrooms. Framework of Qualifications LLevel National Framework evel 9 SSchool chool of IInclusive nclusive & Special Proffessional Certificate: Professional Certificate: € 3,000* EEducation ducation C ourse C Course ode: DC842 Code: Proffessional Diploma: Professional € 3,750* Call ICEP EEurope: Call urope: Online: Email ICEP EEurope: urope: +353 1 6510 618 www.icepe.eu www.icepe.eu inf fo@icepe o@ice .eu info@icepe.eu Call SSchool Call chool of IInclusive nclusive Online: Email DCU: & pecial EEducation: ducation: www.dcu.ie/ioe/sie www.dcu.ie/ioe/sie ioe.ise@dcu.ie ioe.ise@dcu.ie +353 1 884 2042 ENROL NOW FOR JANUARY 2018 st Closing date for applications, December 31 2017 * Current prices correct at time of print. September 26th 2017 www.tui.ie - TUI NEWS 21
TUI NEWS TUI PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME PRE-RETIREMENT SEMINAR DATE VENUE TICk BOx FOR PREFERRED VENUE Monday 29th January, 2018 The Gresham Hotel, 9.00am - 4.30pm Dublin Thursday 15th March 2018 The Hodson Bay Hotel, 9.00am - 4.30pm Athlone, Co. Westmeath Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. Please ensure you complete this form in full and return to the address below. Alternatively, you may email the completed Application Form for the attention of Liz Daly/Carol Ryan to: reception@tui.ie APPLICATION FORM Name School/College Telephone Number Email Address TUI, 73 Orwell Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6 Telephone: (01) 4922588 (Press 0) Fax: (01) 4922953 22 December 2017 - TUI NEWS
TUI NEWS RMA News The season of change – autumn – has blood too. This year over 40 new members As I write this I am looking forward to arrived, but in some regards little has have joined already, but we know that there welcoming my RMA colleagues and friends changed as we are still lobbying for pension are many more out there. On behalf of the to the Boyne Valley Hotel for our Autumn restoration and the repeal of Financial RMA Officers and Management Committee, Break. On March 20th, 21st and 22nd 2017 Emergency Measures in the Public Interest I want to thank the President,Vice- we are heading to the South West for our (FEMPI) Act. President, General Secretary and the TUI spring break in the Celtic Ross Hotel Area Representatives for their work in Rosscarbery Co. Cork, more details in our Through our membership of the Alliance of encouraging retirees to join the RMA, and next issue and these details will be on our Retired Public Servants we have been busy their help in encouraging Branches to fund website www.rmatui.ie shortly. I am very on your behalf during the past few months. the first year’s subscription for new RMA grateful to our former Chairperson Officers of the Alliance met with members. Jim McCarthy for details on the recent Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Croatia trip. Paschal Donohoe in July and the current situation is as follows: Pre-March 2012 Retirees Croatia Trip No change to the timetable for the removal This year, for the first time, the of Public Servants Pension Reduction RMA linked up with the Travel (PSPR). Everyone with a pension below €34,132 Department to make a break will, from January 2018 be exempt from abroad available to members. This PSPR, that is 80% of all Public Servants. 7-night half board break was in Parity with serving peers is retained for the Istria in Northern Croatia, on the lifetime of the Public Service Stability Adriatic Coast, and took place in Agreement (PSSA). mid-September. There were 10 in No timetable for the removal of PSPR on the RMA group, out of a total of 47 pensions over €34,132. in the full Travel Department group. Members from the following RMA members in Croatia Post-February 2012 counties were there: Carlow, Cavan, The injustice of having pension based on Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Tipperary, and it was a very enjoyable break. We were based reduced salary has been recognised, and those affected will receive pension increases in Porec, a very historic town and attractive resort, with excellent walking routes. We in line with the pay increases received by stayed in the Valamar Hotel Crystal, which was a very good choice, with helpful staff, their serving peers. comfortable rooms and good food. Low Paid Public Sector Our first organised outing was a guided walking tour of Porec. Later on, there was a very interesting day trip to Pula, the capital of Istria, which has many Roman Pensioners architectural remains, including an amphitheatre which is the sixth largest surviving Low paid public sector pensioners will gain Roman arena in the world. On the way back, we visited Motovun, an ancient hilltop under parity. Any increase applied to their village. Another day trip involved a boat tour to Rovinj, a beautiful hilly town, with serving peer will apply to them. sightings of dolphins on the way back. Branch meetings So far this term, branch meetings have taken It is hoped to organise another continental break for members next year in conjunction place in Galway, Cork, Carlow, Louth, the with the Travel Department. Midlands, The South East, Wicklow and Meath. I would remind members that our constitution allows a member to participate in whichever branch is nearest to them. By now all RMA members have received their TUI Diary. But remember, if you don’t pay your subscription, don’t expect to be on the mailing list in future. We encourage This time of the year is also time for Branch members whose pensions are paid by PSSC (retirees from VECs/ETBs/IoTs) to AGMs. Branch Officers should update us complete the ‘consent’ form available on www.rmatui.ie and send it to our Treasurer, or when there are changes, and perhaps should any Officer of the RMA. take a look at the constitution on the website regarding requirements. If funding is Finally, I want to encourage all retired TUI members to: required from the RMA, the Branch a) join RMATUI if you haven’t already done so and Treasurer should submit a statement of b) attend at least some RMA Branch meetings. expenditure for the year. This should be submitted in any event after the Branch Most branches have a social and/or cultural dimension, with theatre/cinema visits, guest AGM. speakers at meetings, Christmas lunches, trips and so on. National Officers of the RMA regularly attend the local meetings to provide updates on the work of the Management The membership of the RMA is constantly Committee, our dialogue with TUI and reports from the Alliance of Retired Public changing. Each year, members pass, others Servants. forget to renew, but of course we get new Dan Keane, RMA Secretary www.tui.ie - TUI NEWS 23
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