Centralised employment system: would you prefer it?

Seanchai

Would you prefer if all state-paid teachers were employed by a central authority, rather than by a myriad of different schools?

If there were a centralised system, there would be more potential to move around the state, rather than be "stuck" in the same school for years. The nearest we have at the moment is the VEC, which of course can only move you around that (small) VEC region.

What other disadvantages/advantages do you see in the current decentralised employment system where each school or VEC employs a teacher, and what other disadvantages/advantages would you see in centralising it?

Miss Lockhart

I think it would depend on how the issues surrounding very different ethoses of various school systems were resolved.

Of course the ethos of the school is there to serve the interests of the children/parents, and not the teachers, but many teachers would not choose to teach in schools of certain ethos.

I myself would not be willing to teach in a religious school, so I would not like to see a centralised system that would easily place me in such a school. By the same token, I'm sure such religious schools would rather employ teachers who subscribe to and actively promote and support their ethos.

While different schools can have such very different ethoses I think it is best that both teachers and principals/BOMs have greater control over employment of teachers.

evolving_doors

No

Yes, sure meritocracy and all that, don't forget this is a small banana republic... Just like kids waiting lists for schools, there would be a discrimination list ..

Have you attended this school as a pupil?
Did you do your teaching practice here?
How far from the school do you live,, area code etc.?
What are your religious preferences?
Male or female?
Do you know any local politicians here?

Etc.

delta_bravo

No

I've said in the past that the education sector here needs to model itself on the Garda recruitment system. It needs to be purely based on demand. The only winners now are colleges getting millions in fees from prospective teachers.

evolving_doors

No

I suppose the question is a bit moot anyhow, a centralised employment system is necessary in big countries like spain or france where it might be difficult to get teachers into rural or disadvantaged areas....

These days in Ireland, I can't imagine that schools are finding it difficult to get candidates , no matter where the location...

Why would a government want to spend money setting this system up, especially when the schools are doing the recruitment themselves?