Newly qualified teachers may soon be eligible for permanent contracts after just one year in a role, following a new initiative announced by the Minister for Education, reports RTE.
The move is aimed at tackling job insecurity in the profession, reducing casual contracts, and increasing the supply of teachers by encouraging more graduates to remain and work in Ireland.
Helen McEntee revealed the decision ahead of the annual teacher trade union conferences, the first of which – the INTO Congress in Galway – is expected to hear demands for guaranteed funding for fully equipped special needs classrooms, as well as sensory and play areas, reports RTE.
“I am determined to address job security and make teaching a more attractive, sustainable career”, said Ms McEntee, reports RTE.
“Allowing newly qualified teachers who are starting in September to gain a permanent contract a year earlier will help teachers to place their careers on a more stable footing much sooner than before. This will provide teachers with the certainty that they need, particularly when applying for mortgages,” reports RTE.
Job insecurity remains a major concern for younger teachers, particularly at the post-primary level. Many say it’s difficult to secure full-time roles in schools despite the ongoing shortage of teachers.
The new policy will allow teachers who return to the same position after one year to receive a permanent contract, so long as the job continues to be viable.
At present, teachers must hold two back-to-back contracts before they become eligible for a permanent position, reports RTE.
As many young teachers are lured abroad by better pay and stronger job security in places like Australia or the UAE, the Department of Education believes this change will help retain more teachers by giving them stability earlier in their careers.
Ms McEntee also pledged to review and improve the process by which qualified teachers from outside Ireland can become professionally recognised here, reports RTE.
Many of these teachers report that complex rules and red tape block their access to secure jobs in Ireland.
“Enabling eligible teachers who qualified outside of Ireland to apply for registration and complete their induction here in Ireland is another practical, common-sense measure that will encourage more teachers to work and start their careers here in Ireland”, the minister said, reports RTE.
“I am committed to building on today’s announcements and introduce further measures in the coming months to further address teacher supply,” reports RTE.
The Department added that detailed guidance and rollout procedures will be created with help from educational stakeholders, including teacher unions and school management representatives.
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