OPINION: Many Irish people are of the view teachers 'always seem to be off'

Some of us may have always thought teachers have it handy here in Ireland.

I would argue, based on conversations I’ve been in, it is a common opinion among non-teachers that the primary and secondary school educators “always seem to be off”.

They “have it handy”, “off all summer and regular pay cheques into their accounts for sitting at home”, “handiest job in the country”, “they’re always on holidays”, and on and on the conversations usually go.

But, these opinions couldn’t be more wrong, because being a teacher is one of the hardest jobs in Ireland right now.

Not only is it "modest pay" for most, it comes with absolute hardship.

Well, I say "modest pay", a secondary school teacher now starts at approximately €44,000 per year and the top of the scale, guaranteed by incremental pay rises (without even needing promotions) is approximately €80,000 per year, with all the other benefits of shorter working week, good holidays, weekends off, sick pay if needed, and, of course, is permanent and pensionable

Any promotions along the way such as deputy principal, principal, etc., pump up the volume.

The term "modest pay" is subjective, obviously (living in Dublin, lowers everyone’s purchasing power, for sure).

So, on top of the "modest pay" for the effort and hours put in and “hardship” endured, you then see situations where not enough principals back their teachers, especially when faced with wild accusations from lunatic parents willing to believe their bratty sixteen-year-old over a respected pedagog.

Teachers are afraid to say or do anything in the classroom, out of fear of being reprimanded or worse because some student or lunatic parent deems something to be offensive, improper, abusive or discriminatory.

And maybe the allegation is completely fictitious, never even been done or said by the teacher, it’s just, again, parents believing their “angelic” teenager over a responsible adult.

But parents aren’t the only problem when it comes to teaching at primary and secondary level.

I’ve heard stories, many Covid-19 related, over the lack of guidance afforded to teachers, even around whether or not to take attendance for Zoom classes.

Now, many have to devote their time to Ukrainian refugees, dealing with trauma and with little or no English, in the already overcrowded classrooms.

Teachers are using Google Translate to communicate with these students and it is taking up a lot of their time. So, who knows what the knock on effect that will have on other students in the classroom.

I was shocked to learn from some of my teacher friends that many of them spend the summer thinking about ways out of the profession.

Many are thinking of leaving the job, going back to college, to take a different career path. Many have already left, many have emigrated.

Government after Government have let down teachers.

The prefab became an accepted classroom. Classes became more and more overcrowded.

Teachers started to feel more and more like babysitters, minders, rather than educators.

It’s one crisis after another in the primary and secondary sectors with retention of teachers one of the biggest problems in the post-austerity era, but before we get to that...

Just last month it was reported nearly 60% of primary school teachers have experienced physical aggression from children in the classroom.

The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation said the research highlights what has become a “crisis” in Irish schools. Now, to retention and vacancies.

In November of last year, new research highlighted a shortfall of 809 primary teachers nationwide and an anticipated scarcity of 1,202 long-term vacancies.

Teacher organisations, for primary and secondary level, blame the housing crisis and cost-of-living for the challenges around teacher retention.

The survey also indicated a 43% vacancy rate of teachers in special schools proving that it is pupils with the greatest needs who are most adversely impacted.

Because let’s not forget the impact these crises are having on students - the real victims of the neglect of the education sector.

The reality is that I believe parties rise and fall on two cohorts of voters, the public service and the rural population. And Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have neglected both for many years.

I can’t see a Tik Tok Taoiseach turning that around. It may be a foregone conclusion that Sinn Féin will be given their opportunity to reign.

The Irish public look likely to vote for change, based on recent opinion polls, even if they’re not sure whether that change will be for better or worse.

Whichever party or parties are left in charge next year, the teachers and students have suffered enough, it’s time to start giving them real supports that will improve their day-to-day experiences.

Our future depends on it.

Darren Hassett is Regional Editor for Tipperary and Digital Development Director for Iconic Media Group