Written Answers. - Teachers' Stress.
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
75
Mr. Deenihan
asked the
Minister for Education
if she will set up a special unit within her Department to deal with the increasing levels of stress and burnout among primary and post-primary teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 95, 110 and 347 of 6 October on the matter of stress and burnout.
In that reply I stated that improvements which I am making in the education system at school level will have a beneficial effect in reducing stress in the teaching profession. The following initiatives, which will, I believe, help the teachers, are in place: the pupil-teacher ratios have been improved at both primary and post-primary levels; I have introduced a scheme of job-sharing for all post-primary teachers; under the terms of theProgramme for Social and Economic Progress ex-quota vice-principals have been appointed and additional guidance services provided in the larger schools; home-school-community liaison schemes have been introduced for primary and post-primary schools in disadvantaged areas; and my Department has issued comprehensive guidelines on a code of discipline for schools.
The introduction of revised and alternative curricula at both junior and senior cycle of second level education will give pupils a wider choice of programmes suitable to their needs and abilities and provide greater motivation for all students to take an active part in school life.
I believe that these initiatives will help to reduce major causes of stress which have been identified by teachers themselves.
Much publicity has been given to the demands for early retirement in the context of increased levels of stress experienced by teachers. The teacher unions have claimed enhanced early retirement arrangements for their members. Negotiations on these claims are taking place within the Teachers' Conciliation Council. Under the terms of the Conciliation and arbitration scheme for teachers, the proceedings of the council are confidential.
The council has issued a statement indicating that all sides have agreed to participate in a working group of the council at which all outstanding aspects of the claims can be examined. All parties agreed that discussions in the working group will be substantive and will be concluded by 30 September, 1994.
A working party consisting of representatives of management, teachers and my Department is being set up for the purpose of bringing forward proposals for the establishment of a welfare service for teachers. The question of stress and burnout will be considered in this context.
