A SIGNIFICANT rowing back on proposed cuts to substitution cover in primary schools has been agreed by Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe.
The move means the threat of school closures next month over the substitution issue has been averted. It follows a similar row back on proposed cuts in second-level substitution cover last week.
The Budget had proposed eliminating substitute cover for primary teachers absent without a medical certificate. But the new deal represents a significant rowing back.
Under the new agreement - worked out between the Department of Education and primary school managers - there will be substitute cover for teachers on uncertified sick leave other than on the first day of absence.
In a school where more than one teacher is absent on the first day of uncertified sick leave, substitute cover will be provided for the second and subsequent teachers that are absent. In schools with two teachers or less, cover will be provided where any classroom teacher is absent.
The new arrangements for primary schools have an estimated cost of €2 million. For secondary schools, the bill will be €5 million in a full year, although the Minister has secured €16 million in savings by limiting some forms of cover. The department is stressing these are interim arrangements pending the results of a full review of the substitution and supervision scheme involving the department and school managers.
The Irish National Teachers' Organisation said the latest climb-down was forced by the huge success of the campaign against the Budget which culminated in last weekend's demonstration by over 50,000 in Dublin.
John Carr, its general secretary, said: "The consequences of the budget cutbacks for children were obvious to parents and management and their wholehearted support for the protest marches was a clear signal to government that something had to be done."
Mr Carr said this was the first achievement of the INTO's campaign against cutbacks. The INTO said the union would co-operate with the proposal from the department as a gesture of goodwill. "This is an interim solution," said Mr Carr, "which will enable us to reduce the effects of the Budget cutbacks on children." He said further talks on the issue of substitution would take place in January.
The INTO called on the Minister to reciprocate the union's goodwill by entering into talks on school staffing.
The Irish Primary Principals Network has said it is happy that the Minister has agreed short-term plans for substitute cover for teachers on sick leave.
However, the organisation says it feels the plan does not address the real need of schools because the first day of leave is not covered and this is often the most difficult to make plans for.
The Catholic Primary School Managers' Association said the move will make it easier for schools to manage when teachers are ill.
The multidenominational body, Educate Together, also thanked Mr O'Keeffe for "listening to the views of primary management bodies, and for inviting us to make proposals to him on this matter".
