‘Full-time’ sub teachers could each work for up to 15 schools

A NEW plan to hire substitute teachers on a full-time basis and on rotation among several different schools has been launched, in a bid to stem chronic understaffing in our primary schools.

Education Minister Joe McHugh will announce details of the project today.

The full-time sub teachers will be hired on panels to serve six different regions in a bid to ease understaffing.

Teachers will be based in one school and will rotate among up to 15 others when needed, as part of a ‘substitute cluster’.

Up to 90 schools in six areas in Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Cork and Galway have been Staffing plan: Joe McHugh targeted under the new plan to ease supply pressure.

The pilot scheme will see up to 18 teachers hired on oneyear, full-time contracts.

Minister McHugh said: ‘The creation of substitute teacher supply panels is a direct response to staffing difficulties I’ve heard about from teachers, principals and management bodies. We are initially focusing the panels on Dublin, Galway and Cork and also the commuter belts in Kildare and Meath. These are where significant staffing pressures are being felt.’

Minister McHugh said that much like the clustering initiative for post-primary schools to work together and share teachers in some subjects, ‘we are now asking principals and management to put the best foot forward to make these new substitute panels work’.

He added: ‘Primary schools are being asked to collaborate and work together in clusters in each of the six areas. And I urge them to see this as an effective solution.

‘These substitute supply panels have great potential to support schools in tackling the issue of staff shortages, to reduce administrative burden and improve access to quality, reliable substitute cover. I look forward to seeing this pilot project in action and I hope it will also deepen innovation and co-operation among schools.’

Under the new plans, two substitute teacher supply panels will operate in Dublin along with one each in Kildare, Meath, Cork and Galway from the start of the 2019/20 school year. The Department of Education believes the new set-up will also enable teachers who might otherwise not have full-time hours to avail of more work.