Teachers to walk out of large classes
Today The Teachers Union of Ireland instructed its members not to teach classes that exceed a certain number of pupils. This could leave classes without teachers for certain overcrowded subjects.
An overcrowded class is defined as 30+ for a general class and 24+ for a practical class such as Music, Art or Woodwork.
The union has denied that classes would be left unattended saying that this would be “unprofessional and irresponsible” however their guidelines do essentially leave classes without a teacher.
Should a class be overcrowded the teacher must escort the pupils to a “safe place” (I thought all schools were safe?) where they can be supervised by a principal or deputy principal.
So what happens then? Does the teacher go back to the staff room and sip a cup of tea while the principal minds the class? Principals or Deputy Principals have a tough enough job running an entire school without having to deal with individual classes, that’s the job of frontline teachers.
The TUI has warned that it may take disciplinary action against teachers who disobey the instruction.