The teacher recruitment and retention crisis in Irish second level schools is worsening.
That is according to the findings of a new survey carried out in over 100 schools by the Principals’ and Deputy Principals’ Association of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI).
TUI is now calling for immediate action to ensure that schools can continue to put teachers in front of classes and that students have access to the full breadth of subjects.
The union said that secure jobs of full hours and career progression opportunities are essential to tackle the crisis.
The survey of principals and deputy principals in 104 second level schools was carried out in September and October this year and represents a strong sample of the sector’s approximately 730 schools.
The survey found that 77% of schools advertised positions in the previous six months for which no teacher applied; 64% have unfilled vacancies due to recruitment and retention difficult.
Teacher recruitment difficulties were experienced by 89% of schools in the previous six months; 61% of schools experienced teacher retention difficulties in the previous six months
Just 1% believe that enough is being done at government level to tackle the crisis; 90% believe more could be done to tackle bureaucratic/incremental credit barriers preventing Irish teachers living in other jurisdictions from returning home
Commenting on the findings, TUI President David Waters said:
“Despite being consistently warned about this crisis and its impact on the service to students, the government still refuses to acknowledge the severity of the problem, let alone act decisively on it. To make matters more worrying, some of the key indicators have worsened since last year.
“Schools are displaying remarkable innovation in dealing with these challenges, but there is simply no more flexibility left to give. Sticking plasters measures are seen as such by those in school communities, and principals feel abandoned by government on this issue.”
Mr Waters acknowledged that the accommodation crisis is exacerbating the problem, particularly for teachers with contracts of less than full hours.
He also pointed to the “worrying” cost of pursuing teacher training and added that new entrants to the profession must have fulltime postings available as well as access to career progression. Such posts of responsibility were cut during the last recession and have not been restored despite repeated calls from the profession to do so.
Key findings of the latest survey on recruitment and retention problems in Irish second-level schools. Carried out by the Principals' and Deputy Principals' Association of the TUI, the findings illustrate a deepening crisis. pic.twitter.com/FBR8Uyqai8
— Teachers' Union Ire. (@TUIunion) November 15, 2023
Principals’ and Deputy Principals’ Association President Adrian Power said:
“We must recognise that our excellently qualified graduates are highly sought after in other employments and as teachers in other jurisdictions.
“In this regard, offering them enhanced career structures through more middle management opportunities would also greatly assist principals and deputy principals who are struggling with burnout from an ever-expanding list of duties.”
The survey found that 18% of schools were forced to drop subjects and 45% were forced to limit student access to some subjects due to the teacher recruitment and retention crisis.
Maths, Construction Studies/Woodwork and Irish are the subjects that schools have found most difficult to find teachers for.