WPP1: Schools can employ teachers for free

Dionysus

If you want to teach, it's time to leave the land of saints and scholars (unless you have rich and patient parents). From today's RTÉ.ie

Schools' work experience programme extended

'Schools will be able to employ teachers and other staff without paying them as part of a FÁS work experience programme that has been extended today.

Schools will be able to employ teachers and other staff without paying them as part of a FÁS work experience programme that has been extended today.
Under the Work Placement Programme, schools will be able to employ for up to 40 hours a week and for up to nine months people who are currently unemployed.
Tánaiste and Minister for Education Mary Coughlan said the move would help unemployed people keep their skills up and gain valuable work experience.

Anyone brought in under the work experience scheme cannot displace another staff member and cannot fill a vacant post.
Schools may use the Work Placement Programme to engage teachers as well as non-teaching graduates and non-graduates.
The announcement comes after the Department of Education on Friday announced a freeze on the filling of vacant permanent teaching posts.
On Friday, the department also instructed schools to cut the pay of secretaries and other ancillary staff by 5%.'

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/1129/education.html


So, if 'anyone brought in under the work experience scheme cannot displace another staff member and cannot fill a vacant post' are WPP1 people being given all of those teaching jobs that were promised a few months ago? If so, the state didn't exactly highlight at the time that their "new teaching jobs" would not be paying jobs. Nice one.

delta_bravo

Its just one thing after another.

Would it be reasonable to say that Minister Coughlan has been the worst Education Minister in living memory?

rainbowtrout

delta_bravo wrote: »

Its just one thing after another.

Would it be reasonable to say that Minister Coughlan has been the worst Education Minister in living memory?

Can you provide a list of past ministers so we can compare?

On second thoughts don't bother, your gut instinct is probably right.

TheDriver

has to be Michael woods and his s&s boo boo

rainbowtrout

Dionysus wrote: »

So, if 'anyone brought in under the work experience scheme cannot displace another staff member and cannot fill a vacant post' are WPP1 people being given all of those teaching jobs that were promised a few months ago? If so, the state didn't exactly highlight at the time that their "new teaching jobs" would not be paying jobs. Nice one.

I imagine this free labour is to be used to shore up cutbacks schools have had to make.

I'll use my own as an example. There used to be 4 maths classes at senior level, now there are only 3, same with Irish. A teacher could be used to split the weakest maths class (of 30 students, where it used to be two 15s) and teach the other half of the class.

It could be used to timetable a subject that would otherwise disappear from the curriculum or it could be used to offer extra resource hours to students who aren't currently getting it.

It does say in that article : 9 months and doesn't specifically say teaching so I imagine they could bring someone in for secretarial work as well.

Could this be used as a way of getting rid of S&S? Perhaps.

Will many unemployed teachers be willing to work under those conditions? I don't know.

Could that person be used as the general dogsbody who brings the kids to football matches, debates etc so subs are not needed. Perhaps.

Will it create problems if a person is 'employed ' under this scheme to teach classes and then gets a paying job mid year and bails out leaving the class hanging with no teacher. Possibly.

byhookorbycrook

She's giving Dempsey a run for the title alright. Am I just a little paranoid to think that these jobs will be used to calculate a more "favourable" PTR?:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

spurious

Better still, if my Jeremy gets one of these free teachers and makes a bags of his Junior, can I sue the govt for giving him a cheapo chance compared to the others?

rainbowtrout

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

Am I just a little paranoid to think that these jobs will be used to calculate a more "favourable" PTR?:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

I doubt it, it does say that people from this scheme couldn't fill vacant posts. Also I imagine schools aren't obliged to hire them. Allocation is based on student numbers so it shouldn't affect it. I would reckon though that the government will put some sort of spin on it.

freire

Somebody is having a laugh. This is some seriously messed up thinking here. When will they just get it over with and declare teaching to be on a purely voluntary basis? Meals on wheels kinda thing.

And before anyone else says it - where's the Teaching Council in all this? For what my 90 quid protection money?

Thin end of the wedge, death by a thousand cuts, whatever analogy / metaphor you like, it's not looking good.

newfrontier

This system could easily be abused and used for free labour ..causing resentment in the staff room. But if used properly it might help those who have' nt secured a teaching position but would like teaching experience. Curious to see how many would take up positions FT for no pay ?

01mirelly

I am a teacher, graduated last year have been applying for jobs since summer.
Applied for job seekers and did not qualify because i am living at home. So i am in limbo. Not earning and not qualified for dole..... so what do I do now esp with this new scheme with fas! This country is a joke, 6 years studying and nothin! :mad:

freire

Mary C would encourage you to use your qualifications and training and work for NOTHING. She would advise you that it's important to keep your skills fresh, head in the game type of thing.

You're in a lousy position, and insult has just been added to the mix.

Sardonicat

Wonder how long it will take Harney to propose a similar extension of WPP1 to the health service?

If they can ask teachers to work for the dole it's a short step to ask newly graduated nurses and doctors etc. to do the same.

I started on one of these things in the summer and it was nothing but exploitation. I was by far the best educated out of anyone on the interview panel . One of the goons couldn't even print off a spreadsheet and they had the cheek to ask for a graduate to come and work for free, dump a load of work on me and dissapear! All in the guise of offering me a "fantastic opportunity"

To any newly/soon to be qualified teachers, if you can, emigrate. When the govt are expecting professionals (indeed anyone) to work for nothing in their area of expertise we've come to a sorry pass. Before too long participation on these WPPs will become compulsory. Get out while you can.

maynooth_rules

01mirelly wrote: »

I am a teacher, graduated last year have been applying for jobs since summer.
Applied for job seekers and did not qualify because i am living at home. So i am in limbo. Not earning and not qualified for dole..... so what do I do now esp with this new scheme with fas! This country is a joke, 6 years studying and nothin! :mad:

Do as I am doing, get the hell out of this country. It is depressing but NQTs like us deserve to be treated better in Ireland. Says it all that someone so completely inept like Coughlan can make it to a position like Minister for Education in Ireland

donaghs

Only fair if Mary Coughlan tries working for free for a year. Although her expenses alone would be more than some jobs pay.

livecali

I am so annoyed by this idea and I think we need to do something about. This is where ideas are needed!
This scheme allows for schools to bring in people for free when they need them. Who will be paying for petrol/ lunches and we all know 39 hours is only half of it compared to how much work we do outside of school plus spending money on material for lessons thats impossible to get off schools. I would like to ask Mary Coughlan to do her job for less than €200 a week! :mad: I am writing to the Teaching Council and the INTO to see what they are doing about it but really we need something more.

Shirleysrumbler

Think this is a disgrace to suggest that one person in a staffroom could be on 30+K and another equally qualified be expected to work for nothing. It behoves all school management to where possible give all substitute work to NQTS. Also any teacher who would allow a youngster to come in to their school and be exploited by this scheme should seriously examine their conscience. I would urge all Schools to let the full impact of our financial mismanagement come to bear through increased class sizes etc. but not to have our children(in tandem with parents' desire to do the best they can for them) used as pawns in the Government's desire to placate the German Bondholders. Coughlan and the other ignoramuses in Government have stooped to a new low.

byhookorbycrook

In the 80s many of my colleagues stood in lines outside the INTO hq hoping to get work,even a day of subbing.This is actually more degrading,we have to oppose this for the sake of our NQTs.

Shirleysrumbler

As a parent I would be most unhappy to have by child taught by "Slave Labour".Surely union members can not tolerate this gross exploitation of youngsters. This must be an issue meriting Industrial Action from IMPACT(SNAS) and Teaching Unions.

TheDriver

problem shirley is no one is forcing anyone to work for free but plenty of nqts would probably jump at chance of gaining experience for the cv.....
Whats wrong with someone teaching your child once they are qualified?

Shirleysrumbler

I don't expect to have somebody else's misfortune taken advantage of. Also these youngsters are being forced to cut their own throats by working for "Scab Rates". Give it a year and they'll be used by govt to "Massage2 the Pupil Teacher Ratio.

Dionysus

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

In the 80s many of my colleagues stood in lines outside the INTO hq hoping to get work,even a day of subbing.This is actually more degrading,we have to oppose this for the sake of our NQTs.

Agreed. And for Christ's sake, will somebody in Mary Coughlan's department put a stop to (very expensive) teacher training courses if one section of her department is doing this to the very same NQTs the minute they start looking for teaching jobs?

They're just piling on the insults.

Dionysus

donaghs wrote: »

Only fair if Mary Coughlan tries working for free for a year. Although her expenses alone would be more than some jobs pay.

livecali wrote: »

I would like to ask Mary Coughlan to do her job for less than €200 a week! :mad: I am writing to the Teaching Council and the INTO to see what they are doing about it but really we need something more.

Even when she is thrown out of office in two months time and doing absolutely nothing she'll be getting c. €2000 per week - per week!

For nothing. I'm speechless.

Dionysus

Shirleysrumbler wrote: »

Think this is a disgrace to suggest that one person in a staffroom could be on 30+K and another equally qualified be expected to work for nothing.

Potentially very interesting point. Any employment lawyers around? I wonder how this stands with equality legislation.

livecali

"Schools may use the Work Placement Programme to engage teachers as well as non-teaching graduates and non-graduates." From RTE website.
I think everyone should care about the dicriminations within schools. With the 10% cut in starting wages for new teachers there is already a two teir system within schools but to have people doing the same job for €200 a week leads to greater inequalities among staff.
Parents should definiltly care as teachers who are forced into this position will get out of it as soon as they are offered a better opportunity. This will lead to disrupted education for children.

celtchick

I just feel so down now after hearing the news...time and time again, public sector is hit! I'm half way through finishing the Dip but I've taught for the last few years unqualified...so now I'm expected to go and work for 200 euro a week - sure the course to get qualified has cost approx 9,000 euro!!! And then to hear people in work going on about how they want to stay in the job they're in because "what else would I do at home" and "I wouldn't see my friends anymore and I'd be bored" - the older teachers aren't in it for the teaching aspect, they're in it for the social interaction - go and join a local club if you want social interaction, don't stay in a job that you're crap at and take the position from someone who actually wants to be in the job for the right reasons!!! why cant they hit the higher paid teachers and force them out to allow us "cheaper" (not free!!!!) teachers come onto the pay scale...

kraggy

Will this apply to Primary too?

looksee

We have had some WPP people in the school (FE) since the beginning of term. While they would obviously rather have jobs, they are all happy to be doing something rather than nothing all day.

The proposals for teachers do not involve displacing existing teachers. If it means that some employed teachers get less S&S, is that so bad in the existing environment? It has been argued that retired teachers should not do S&S because there are young teachers looking for hours, so here is the chance. If it means that children get extra support, how can that be bad?

I have seen several posts from teachers saying that they would work for nothing to get experience, so again, here is the chance. No-one is forcing people to take part in the scheme, but I would guess there will be no shortage of volunteers. And as people retire, leave or go on, say, maternity leave I would imagine that someone who is already in the school would have a distinct advantage in applying for a position.

There have been numerous threads making generalisations about people on the dole having to work for it, well the suggestion is now being taken up.

looksee

celtchick wrote: »

I just feel so down now after hearing the news...time and time again, public sector is hit! I'm half way through finishing the Dip but I've taught for the last few years unqualified...so now I'm expected to go and work for 200 euro a week - sure the course to get qualified has cost approx 9,000 euro!!! And then to hear people in work going on about how they want to stay in the job they're in because "what else would I do at home" and "I wouldn't see my friends anymore and I'd be bored" - the older teachers aren't in it for the teaching aspect, they're in it for the social interaction - go and join a local club if you want social interaction, don't stay in a job that you're crap at and take the position from someone who actually wants to be in the job for the right reasons!!! why cant they hit the higher paid teachers and force them out to allow us "cheaper" (not free!!!!) teachers come onto the pay scale...

I sympathise with your situation, and understand your anger and frustration (I have a daughter investing similar money in her education) but throwing around generalisations about 'older teachers' is no help to anyone, and that outlook will turn you into one of the bitter complainers in the staffroom. If you read it again it is clearly nonsense and doesn't really reflect your reasoning ability.

A positive approach will give you a much better chance of success in an interview, I hope you get the chance to prove that soon

livecali

looksee wrote: »

We have had some WPP people in the school (FE) since the beginning of term. While they would obviously rather have jobs, they are all happy to be doing something rather than nothing all day.
.

I don’t think older teachers should be forced into retirement as the educational system needs experience. I do however consider it unfair for schools to rely on or use retired teachers for S&S.
I am sure teachers are happy to have some form of work but why should teachers, who are doing the exact same work as those surrounding them, not get paid? Not only that but they are made to feel as though they should consider themselves lucky to be in some form of consistent work. The government have just poured €30 billion into a bank which is set to be dissolved. How many wages would that have paid for? We should not so easily agree to these schemes, designed purely for saving money right now. There is no thinking about the future of teaching with these schemes. There should be no divide between permanent teachers and those trying to start their career but already we can see the issues schemes such as this one will bring.
And can I ask looksee, would you be willing to work for €200 a week? If so I reckon the deparment of education might take you up on it! Heck, thats the way its going at the moment anyway!

gaeilgebeo

celtchick wrote: »

I just feel so down now after hearing the news...time and time again, public sector is hit! I'm half way through finishing the Dip but I've taught for the last few years unqualified...so now I'm expected to go and work for 200 euro a week - sure the course to get qualified has cost approx 9,000 euro!!! And then to hear people in work going on about how they want to stay in the job they're in because "what else would I do at home" and "I wouldn't see my friends anymore and I'd be bored" - the older teachers aren't in it for the teaching aspect, they're in it for the social interaction - go and join a local club if you want social interaction, don't stay in a job that you're crap at and take the position from someone who actually wants to be in the job for the right reasons!!! why cant they hit the higher paid teachers and force them out to allow us "cheaper" (not free!!!!) teachers come onto the pay scale...

How ignorant of you to make such a statement!

tonycascarino

kraggy wrote: »

Will this apply to Primary too?

Would love to know myself

byhookorbycrook

Yes, it applies to primary as well,big thread on the primary part of educationposts. INTO have issued a statement.

INTO press release on their website
NTO Meetings
Fás Work Placement Programme 30/11/10
The INTO strongly disputes the Tánaiste's claim that this is "major initiative"
Tuesday, 30 November 2010


Press Statement Irish National Teachers’ Organisation on FAS Work Placement Programme
The INTO strongly disputes the Tánaiste’s claim that this is “a major initiative” to help and support the unemployed saying not one additional job would be created.
The primary teachers’ union said the scheme offered no prospects to these teachers other than they could apply to schools to work for nothing.
“It is not a platform to real employment,” said a spokesperson for the INTO. “Many teachers who are now out of work were in full time temporary employment last year. Schemes like this are no guarantee of employment.”
“Already unemployed teachers have seen job prospects curtailed, planned reductions in salary and disimprovements in pensions,” said the spokesperson.
The INTO said new teachers are under huge pressure on the employment front. “Being told they can work for nothing does not improve their situation one bit.”
The INTO said late last week the government announced that 700 teaching jobs would be cut from the system at the end of this school year affecting Traveller children, disadvantaged children and Gaelscoileanna. “Coming immediately after such an announcement it is clear that the Tánaiste’s claim to support unemployed teachers does not stand up.
The spokesperson said most people would see this as one arm of the system is displacing jobs while another is trying to fill them with unpaid workers.
Last week the INTO strongly criticised proposed pay cuts for new entrants to teaching saying it would create a “two tier system”. “This announcement proposes a three tiered system.”
The INTO announced the launch of a new substitute service support for primary schools. “Maximising employment opportunities for qualified teachers is the only response that is required at this time,” said the INTO.
The union said the scheme would also involve significant additional unpaid work for principal teachers who would be required to interview applicants, monitor their work and re-organise work schedules when anyone on this scheme got an improved work opportunity.

wishinonastar

hey all. wondering does anyone have any more info on this fas scheme thats apparently gonna come into play. Apparently schools can get people in for free to teach. I work as a sub teacher( when i say sub i actually work every single day) . Im now extreamly worried that i ll be replaced by people who will do my job for free.

Toto Wolfcastle

There is already a thread about this.

Threads merged.

JENNYWREN19

donaghs wrote: »

Only fair if Mary Coughlan tries working for free for a year. Although her expenses alone would be more than some jobs pay.

I think the whole of the dail should become a WPP scheme starting today

Sardonicat

JENNYWREN19 wrote: »

I think the whole of the dail should become a WPP scheme starting today

Excellent idea! With performance targets that must be met in order to maintan benefit eligibility.

E.T.

Sardonicat wrote: »

Excellent idea! With performance targets that must be met in order to maintan benefit eligibility.

And of course all expenses would have to be cut.

clartharlear

This scheme is evil genius. It's utterly deplorable, but I know if I was unemployed and wanted to live in my own country, I'd definitely apply to 'welfare-to-work', and I'd say plenty of other young teachers would do the same.

evolving_doors

Hey this idea is brilliant ..so in a few years time everyone in teaching will be working for free.. Minister your gifted indeed!!
how bout this... all of ireland should be working for free on a fas scheme.... no more government expenditure on wages..HORAY.. debt free again..

Shirleysrumbler

wishinonastar wrote: »

hey all. wondering does anyone have any more info on this fas scheme thats apparently gonna come into play. Apparently schools can get people in for free to teach. I work as a sub teacher( when i say sub i actually work every single day) . Im now extreamly worried that i ll be replaced by people who will do my job for free.

In 1984 there was no distinction between qualified and unqualified subs. In 1989 the max wage a qualified sub could earn was approx 7k PA when a NQT earned about 9k on point two of the scale.Also increments and holiday pay only became available to subs in the mid to late nineties. Sub teachers will have no short term work ie. two or three day stints(uncertified leave) if these come into schools. IPPN(the States attempt to split INTO) backs this move. Unions must be vigiliant to employers(public or private) exploiting the unemployed. I remember in the last decade when some deprived areas had up to half their school staff coming from such noble trades as hairdressing and chiropody. It'll be ironic if the affluent areas attract the qualified unpaid teachers when five years ago the deprived had paid unqualified teachers.

D4RK ONION

Sardonicat wrote: »

To any newly/soon to be qualified teachers, if you can, emigrate. When the govt are expecting professionals (indeed anyone) to work for nothing in their area of expertise we've come to a sorry pass. Before too long participation on these WPPs will become compulsory. Get out while you can.

Oh what I would give to emigrate. Pity I can't because I'm fresh out of college, jobless and Dip-less. Can't work abroad without my Dip year done. If anyone wants to correct me on that, please please do

clartharlear wrote: »

This scheme is evil genius. It's utterly deplorable, but I know if I was unemployed and wanted to live in my own country, I'd definitely apply to 'welfare-to-work', and I'd say plenty of other young teachers would do the same.

As it stands, I earn more right now working in my local shop and doing the tiny bit of subbing I get than I would on this system. I can't afford to go on this welfare to work system, and even if I could I don't think I would get down on my knees for this crap. I am so disgusted right now.

Dionysus

D4RK ONION wrote: »

As it stands, I earn more right now working in my local shop and doing the tiny bit of subbing I get than I would on this system. I can't afford to go on this welfare to work system, and even if I could I don't think I would get down on my knees for this crap. I am so disgusted right now.

I was just thinking about how they could have shown some compassion with this programme and one reasonable thing which the state could - could - have done when setting up this WPP1 was attach the same proviso to working on it as they do to people who receive the BTEA (Back to Education Allowance). Namely, you can earn any amount of money in addition to your full-time course (read full teaching hours) and this extra income will not affect your existing benefit.

This by no means compensates for this programme, but it would signify a fairer treatment of people the state is expecting to work for a full week for free. This is just a cold, regressive step which demeans teaching as a profession and NQTs as people who have something to offer our society. It is profoundly disheartening and dispiriting, worse than even the worst case scenario before I began the PGDE in 2009. Never for a minute did it enter any of our heads that any potential new jobs would be taken by people working for free.

I'm usually among the first to say things aren't as bad as the media make them out to be, but this development, if implemented in schools across the state, can only lead to one of two rational options for NQTs:

1. NQTs look for employment in sectors of the Irish economy outside teaching.

2. NQTs emigrate in huge numbers.

It would be foolishness in the extreme for a NQT to pin his/her hopes on securing a paid teaching post in Ireland now. The rug has been firmly pulled from under teachers' feet now. The future is gone.

rainbowtrout

Dionysus wrote: »

I was just thinking about how they could have shown some compassion with this programme and one reasonable thing which the state could - could - have done when setting up this WPP1 was attach the same proviso to working on it as they do to people who receive the BTEA (Back to Education Allowance). Namely, you can earn any amount of money in addition to your full-time course (read full teaching hours) and this extra income will not affect your existing benefit.

This by no means compensates for this programme, but it would signify a fairer treatment of people the state is expecting to work for a full week for free. This is just a cold, regressive step which demeans teaching as a profession and NQTs as people who have something to offer our society. It is profoundly disheartening and dispiriting, worse than even the worst case scenario before I began the PGDE in 2009. Never for a minute did it enter any of our heads that any potential new jobs would be taken by people working for free. I'm usually among the first to say things aren't as bad as the media make them out to be, but this development, if implemented in schools across the state, can only lead to one of two rational options for NQTs:

1. NQTs look for employment in sectors of the Irish economy outside teaching.

2. NQTs emigrate in huge numbers.

It would be foolishness in the extreme for a NQT to pin his/her hopes on securing a paid teaching post in Ireland now. The rug has been firmly pulled from under teachers' feet now. The future is gone.

While I am not in agreement with it and generally agree with your post it does say that under the WPP that a person on the WPP cannot fill a vacant post. Vacant posts will become few and far between though.

E.g. We have two teachers retiring this week (18 hours and 22 hours) and their jobs have not been advertised.

JENNYWREN19

clartharlear wrote: »

This scheme is evil genius. It's utterly deplorable, but I know if I was unemployed and wanted to live in my own country, I'd definitely apply to 'welfare-to-work', and I'd say plenty of other young teachers would do the same.

I thought eligibility for jobseeker's benefit runs out after a year, so if you're not then eligible for jobseeker's benefit you'll end up paying to go to work at your partner's/parent's expense

starre

JENNYWREN19 wrote: »

I thought eligibility for jobseeker's benefit runs out after a year, so if you're not then eligible for jobseeker's benefit you'll end up paying to go to work at your partner's/parent's expense

This is where I am. No income, too qualified for any fas courses/return to education. If I went on this type of placement I'd be paying (travel etc) to work for free, no benefits, possibly to "help out" and "gain knowledge" from paid staff who are less qualified/experienced than I am.

rainbowtrout

starre wrote: »

This is where I am. No income, too qualified for any fas courses/return to education. If I went on this type of placement I'd be paying (travel etc) to work for free, no benefits, possibly to "help out" and "gain knowledge" from paid staff who are less qualified/experienced than I am.

This is what I thought would be the response for any NQTs/teachers on the dole. Experience is great to get if you are an NQT but surely it's better to work another job, even if it is minimum wage and be earning that bit more and be able to go home in the evening and forget about it rather than possibly be taken advantage of in this situation? If anyone signs up for 40 hours a week, they won't have much time to look for jobs elsewhere.

clartharlear

There's obviously a few wrinkles to be ironed out with this proposal. Usually, you can't work as a volunteer while claiming jobseekers, because you're not seeking work while you're volunteering.

Jobs are about self-esteem and self-image as well as earning money. (though that's essential!) I'd respect myself more while working for free in an important job, than working for a little bit more in a menial job.

Could the OP start a poll? I think this would be interesting. Who, in the face of unemployment/menial labour, would take up the WPP1?

D4RK ONION

clartharlear wrote: »

There's obviously a few wrinkles to be ironed out with this proposal. Usually, you can't work as a volunteer while claiming jobseekers, because you're not seeking work while you're volunteering.

Jobs are about self-esteem and self-image as well as earning money. (though that's essential!) I'd respect myself more while working for free in an important job, than working for a little bit more in a menial job.

Could the OP start a poll? I think this would be interesting. Who, in the face of unemployment/menial labour, would take up the WPP1?

No offence, but in the economic climate I don't think many people are going to consider status and self image over monetary income. I'd rather have enough money to keep me afloat than worry about what the neighbours think of me.

Miss Lockhart

clartharlear wrote: »

There's obviously a few wrinkles to be ironed out with this proposal. Usually, you can't work as a volunteer while claiming jobseekers, because you're not seeking work while you're volunteering.

Jobs are about self-esteem and self-image as well as earning money. (though that's essential!) I'd respect myself more while working for free in an important job, than working for a little bit more in a menial job.

Could the OP start a poll? I think this would be interesting. Who, in the face of unemployment/menial labour, would take up the WPP1?

Working for free would not be an option for many people! This would essentially allow those with better off partners and parent to build up classroom hours for the CV and disadvantage those less well off.

livecali

I got this reply from the Teaching Council.

"The Teaching Council is satisfied that only registered teachers may be employed as teachers in accordance with this scheme, so there would be no diminution of teaching standards. It should also be noted that the Council regularly receives representations from unemployed teachers who are deeply concerned by the situation in which they find themselves and who would willingly work on a voluntary basis in order to satisfy their probationary requirements. In the last couple of days, we have received calls from such teachers who are pleased to have an option that will go towards meeting the requirements of probation. While it may not be ideal, the scheme introduced by the Department would seem to represent an interim solution to teachers in such situations. It would not be desirable that newly qualified teachers would be precluded from satisfying their probationary requirements and thereby achieving full registration, as a result of an economic situation which is not of their making."

Does anybody feel this way?