Cutbacks 'will lead to classroom chaos'
Discipline issues are not confined to students with behavioural difficulties
TEACHERS warned last night of a surge in discipline problems due to cutbacks as two new surveys found unruly pupils now take up an increasing amount of class time.
The surveys come on the eve of the annual conferences of teacher unions, which will hear emergency motions for tough action over education cuts.
The three unions, which are meeting this week, already have mandates for industrial action and delegates will demand that work-to-rules and two days of stoppage go ahead in the autumn.
All the unions warn cutbacks will have far-reaching consequences for schools.
The TUI said that the majority of decent, hard-working students would suffer as a result of an expected rise in disruptive behaviour from next September.
The union has already found high levels of defiance from students, bullying of classmates, and even threats or intimidation.
The Irish Independent has learned that 80pc of TUI members surveyed said class indiscipline and conflict had increased their workload over the past five years. In addition, discipline issues emerged as the top source of dissatisfaction for ASTI members.
Discipline issues are not confined to students with behavioural difficulties, as teachers are encountering a general increase in a tendency among young people to unduly challenge authority and disregard school rules and regulations.
TUI general secretary Peter MacMenamin said that the embargo on the filling of management posts in schools would have a disastrous effect on school discipline as many of these positions -- which will no longer be filled -- tackle the student disruption directly. He added that:
lThe changing of the staffing schedule from 18:1 to 19:1 in second level schools would have a direct impact on class sizes.
lThe ceiling on the number of language support teachers would inevitably restrict many students in communicating effectively in class.
lThe withdrawal of posts to non-DEIS schools would cause even more staffing shortages in many disadvantaged schools.
lIn-service cuts would prevent teachers from 'skilling up' on the latest methods related to tackling discipline problems.
The survey found that many teachers work up to 47 hours a week during term time, but disciplinary issues and increasing administration were taking up an increasing amount of time.
Mr MacMenamin added that teachers could take some solace in a parallel survey that shows well over half (59pc) of the general public believe that the role of the second level teacher has become more difficult in the past decade.
Dissatisfaction
Meanwhile, a separate survey lists disciplinary issues, poorly motivated students and the amount of marking/preparation to be done outside school as the main sources of dissatisfaction for ASTI members.
However, the top three sources of job satisfaction for second-level teachers are helping students reach their potential, teaching a subject the teachers love and making a difference to students' lives.
- John Walshe, Education Editor
