Vol. 408 No. 2
2 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a recent OECD observer analysis of Irish education which states that a regular infusion of healthy new blood into the teaching force is essential in order to prevent its arteries from hardening and to the subsequent recommendations to deal with the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Although the report of the OECD examiners will not formally be published until next month, I am aware of the references in question. For the information of the Deputy I have listed a table giving the age profile of teachers. Without going into detail on the table, it discloses quite remarkable facts which need to be highlighted. I am glad to have the opportunity to do so. The age profile is not what is popularly perceived. It depends, of course, on how you view age. Age is different depending on your viewpoint.
The Programme for Economic and Social Progress provides for the creation of substantial numbers of new teaching posts at both primary and post-primary levels.
The reduction of the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools to 25:1 by September 1992 will entail retaining 700 posts which will become available to in-coming teachers, in addition to the creation of 250 new posts this year and approximately the same next year.
The reduction of the pupil-teacher ratio to 19:1 at second level involves the creation of 500 new posts. A further 60 additional posts will be created for disadvantaged schools this year as they were last year. Additional posts arise also from the commitments to provide ex-quota posts as vice-principals and guidance teachers. In addition, pupils entering second level schools this year will have the option of a transition year.
I am satisfied that these measures will provide ample opportunity for the entry of new teachers into the profession.
The OECD report will be launched formally in June. It is interesting that the Deputy should draw our attention to a sentence in the OECD report because the sentence immediately prior to that quoted by the Deputy states that in the long term it would be beneficial to lower the pupil-teacher ratio strictly on pedagogical as well as on equitable grounds, to institute a six year secondary cycle for all students, to lengthen the school year and to appoint more specialised teachers, to strengthen school management structures and to put in place a comprehensive system of induction and in-service training. We are doing everything that is suggested in the report except that I have no intention of lengthening the school year. Another important sentence in the report states that in the immediate term it is urgent to provide more help to disadvantaged students. The school system could only benefit from this.
Following is the statement:
Age Profile of Teachers
|
Age Range |
Under 25 |
25-29 |
30-34 |
35-39 |
40-44 |
45-49 |
50-54 |
55-59 |
Over 60 |
|
Primary |
1,005 |
3,042 |
3,310 |
3,715 |
2,706 |
2,216 |
2,168 |
1,545 |
661 |
|
Secondary |
382 |
1,344 |
2,173 |
2,407 |
2,040 |
1,367 |
959 |
585 |
376 |
|
Comm/Comp. |
38 |
295 |
483 |
531 |
387 |
270 |
163 |
97 |
30 |
I thank the Minister for her reply. I am not privy to the information because obviously it is going to be in the cubby holes afterwards. Is the Minister aware that the OECD analysis stated that by and large there was a danger that the teaching profession in Ireland was going to become a "greying" profession? Does the Minister agree that a requirement of 40 years teaching service in order to qualify showed that up to 45 per cent of them would like to change jobs if given the opportunity of an alternative position and that the issue of burnout and the inability to cope with the modern classroom was very much the theme at the recent teacher conferences which both she and I attended? Does the Minister further agree that there is an urgent need for an early retirement scheme whereby we would allow people who are jaded and demotivated to leave the profession thus allowing in bright, breezy, motivated young people who are on the dole queue at present?
I do not accept that every teacher over a certain age and who is presently teaching in our schools is jaded or burned out. What was amazing was that following the teachers' conferences, I had scores of letters from teachers telling me they were of such an age and that they loved teaching and that they did not like the way they were globally bracketed. I speak as one who has been out of the classrooms for ten years. If the electorate reject me — I hope they do not —
(Carlow-Kilkenny): Never.
——I would willingly and joyfully go back into the classroom.
And so say all of us.
I would, because I loved teaching. I accept what the Deputy has said about the infusion of new blood, and we have outlined some of the measures we are implementing in that regard. It takes age and wisdom to give the education system its even tenor. I would consider under 45 years as a reasonable age, and a high proportion of our teachers are under that age, as statistics show. I will not bore the House by reading out the figures because it would take too long. They are given in the table, and what they show amazed me. The Deputy asked about the introduction of an early retirement scheme.
The option of an early retirement scheme.
That is a matter for the public service because it applies to the public service in general, but as of now there are no such plans. The teachers' unions have been talking, and will continue to talk, to me about variations on such a scheme which might allow particular categories to opt out for particular reasons. A scheme such as the one introduced earlier is not envisaged.
