Parents, teachers meet to oppose cuts to teacher numbers

PARENTS and teachers voiced their fear and anger at the proposed cuts to staffing of primary schools at meetings organised by the INTO (Irish National Teachers' Organisation). An INTO Consultative Conference on Saturday in Galway considered staffing in schools, which has been badly affected in the recent budget. Small schools, with up to 100 pupils, were the main focus with incredulity, anger and disappointment ex­pressed by delegate after delegate at the damage the budget proposals will inflict on rural schools and rural communities. Heart of the parish 'The local school is the heart of the parish. Take away the school and you take away the soul of the parish,' were phrases used repeatedly by delegates. [private] The delegates at the Clayton Hotel on Saturday morning saw upwards of 300 parents from Connemara, many with children, protest at the cuts to their schools. Teachers and pupils made their feelings known on the potential damage to children's education, the damage to community life and the damage to Irish language, heritage and culture. The District Representative of the INTO thanked the communities for turning out in such big numbers. The cuts, he said, were anti-rural, anti-community and disproportionately affected small schools with up to 100 pupils. 'What we need is a coherent, well thought-out policy devised through  consultation with all stakeholders and an end to this â€Ëœone size fits all, cut all before you without considering the consequences' approach which can do a huge amount of unforeseen damage,' he said. Noirin Flynn, President  of the INTO and Sheila Nunan, General Secretary, met the school groups and thanked them for turning out in such big numbers. Ms Nunan described the budgetary measures as flawed and lacking in planning. At a meeting in Ballinasloe, Joe Killeen, a member of the Central Committee of the INTO said: 'In the small print of last December's budget were serious cutbacks to the staffing of small schools. Schools that needed 12 pupils for a second teacher will  on the school roll  of last  September need 14 pupils, while in 2014 needing 20 pupils to hold that second Teacher. 'Schools that needed 49 pupils for a third teacher, now need 51 pupils and in 2014 will need 56. If they fall short of the proposed number the school will have two teachers with four classes each and a possible 27 pupils each. Schools that needed 81 pupils for a fourth teacher, now see that number increase to 83. In 2014 these same schools will need 86 pupils. Four teacher Gaeltacht schools will see an even greater worsening of their schedule, going from 76 to 86. 'Again falling short of this number will see three teachers, teaching three classes each, with up to 28 pupils in each class. When one considers that the average class size in Europe is 20 pupils, with the majority of these pupils in single class grouping, one can understand the anger and frustration of parents at these proposals. Flawed approach 'I think this approach is fundamentally flawed, misguided and devoid of planning It is anti-rural, anti-community and disproportionately affects small schools. What is needed is a coherent, long-term and resourced strategy for sustainable schools into the future. Instead what we have are budget proposals aimed at forcibly amalgamating some small schools by cutting teachers while leaving others untouched. 'This is a U-turn on Labour education policy of a year ago, when the Labour Party stated it had never supported the forcible amalgamation of rural schools. Ruairi Quinn TD now Minister for Education and Skills stated â€ËœWe have no plans to forcibly amalgamate schools but we do believe that we must begin to plan our education system in a better way.' 'He is still saying this as late as Wednesday in the Dail but we can see from the budget that policy is big on amalgamation but short on better planning for sustainable schools. 'Decisions about small schools in rural communities should be about ensuring the best education for pupils regardless of location. This is a complex matter and many issues need to be considered before embarking on a policy that will see some schools close. We need to look at enrolment patterns, future projections  and trends. Investment in school buildings past and present must surely be an important criterion in deciding on the viability of a school. 'We need to look at respect for language and in particular support our Gaeltacht  schools, many of which are in the firing line. The preservation of our culture and our native tongue has to be seen as a priority. We must recognise that closures and amalgamations will, far from aiding the Gaeltacht areas, be the death knell of many, now vibrant, communities in these areas. Essential role 'We need to look at the essential role that schools play in keeping communities together and balance this against the budget decisions. 'Primary consideration must be given to the needs of pupils who are entitled to the best education they can get. Data from educational outcomes have indicated that pupils who are taught in small schools achieve at a high level and are more likely to progress to third level. 'The wishes of parents and the wider community must also be taken into consideration. 'A fair and open policy on sustainable, viable small schools must include not only the financial costs associated with providing a network of accessible schools but also the value provided to small rural communities lacking many other community and social facilities. 'We must never forget that there has been significant rationalisation of small rural schools in Ireland. During the period 1966 to 1973 the number of one and two teacher schools was greatly reduced. The decline of very many rural communities was blamed on the policy of forced amalgamations or closures. 'We need to change budgetary policy which is increasing unfairly the number of pupils per class in small and medium-sized schools,' Joe Killeen concluded. [/private]