Protected disclosure at a Co Wexford primary school
MEMBER OF STAFF RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT ALLEGED APPOINTMENT OF AN UNQUALIFIED TEACHER
A County Wexford primary school has been the subject of a protected disclosure to the Department of Education and Science and other bodies about the alleged appointment of an unqualified person to a teaching post.
The ‘ whistleblower’ made anonymous disclosures twice over the past six months and claimed that on each occasion, no action was taken.
The allegation made under the Protected Disclosures Act of 2014, initially concerned the appointment of an unqualified person to a permanent teaching post, pending sufficient enrolment numbers.
When the enrolment numbers didn’t reach the expected level, the job was withdrawn by the Department of Education.
A number of weeks later, the same person resumed working in the school in another post. A fully qualified substitute teacher worked in that role while the allegedly unqualified person completed a teaching practice module in another school.
The whistleblower made official complaints to an inspector in the Department of Education and
Science and the Catholic Primary Schools Managers Assocation, alleging that the registered but unqualified teacher was appointed provisionally to an additional permanent post, under the ‘developing schools’ initiative, pending confirmation of adequate enrolment numbers.
The enrolment numbers were not sufficient to continue the job, and the teacher was not assigned to a class.
A teacher then retired from the school and the vacancy caused by this retirement was never advertised, according to the whistleblower. The vacancy was covered by a qualified registered substitute teacher from the supply panel.
The allegedly unqualified teacher then commenced teaching in the school and the other teacher returned to subbing duties.
The whistleblower claimed the teacher in the post is not fully qualified, having not completed the prescribed probationary period as a teacher and is now working in a position that was never advertised.
‘ Qualified, probated teachers have been denied the right to apply for a position through the advertisement/ interview process outlined in the Department circulars that Boards of Management are mandated to abide by,’ they alleged.
The whistleblower claimed the episode posed questions about the interview board that initially shortlisted the allegedly unqualified teacher for interview and then recommended them for appointment, and also the board of management which sanctioned the employment of the teacher to the post.
When vacancies arise, Department of Education guidelines require schools to first seek to employ an appropriately qualified teacher who is not retired and where all efforts to so fail, the school may employ a retired, appropriately qualified, teacher.
If it is not possible to recruit a teacher under either of these categories, the school may employ a registered teacher who is not appropriately qualified on a short term basis, giving preference where possible to one who is not retired.
The whistleblower said the teacher is continuing to sub and asked if this can be considered shortterm as it will last until the end of this school year.
It is also a stipulation that all vacancies anticipated to be of a duration of 24 calendar weeks or more should be advertised on at least one of the websites approved by the management bodies and this was not done, according to the whistleblower who called on the Department of Education to question why an interview board deemed this teacher suitable for appointment and also to arrange for an audit of the relevant written interview reports and markings.
They claimed the board of management confirmed on the required Appointment Form that all legislation and circulars had been followed.
The whistleblower asked the Department to examine all records relating to the appointment under the terms of the Protected Disclosures Act which allows workers to raise concerns.
‘ That an unqualified person was shortlisted for interview, actually interviewed and then appointed, raises very serious questions’, they alleged, adding that it also posed questions about the oversight role of the Diocese of Ferns.
‘Are the pupils ( of this school) not entitled to fully qualified, probated teachers and not deserving of the best qualified, most experienced teachers available?’ they asked.
COUNTY Wexford Chamber has criticised the lack of a plan to help businesses survive 2021.
Chamber CEO Emma Dunphy said the three month extension is not long enough, calling on the Government to leave incremental half-measures in the past, and start afresh with an expansive, data-driven plan to support business through the impact of Covid-19.
‘The extension of existing financial supports is good news, as it reduces some of the uncertainty for businesses. Yet, right across our county, there is the very real concern that Government is still failing to engage with the reality of the situation facing our local economies,’ Ms Dunphy said.
Among the provisions that are required for most of 2021 are wage supports, commercial rates waivers and debt warehousing, she added.
‘While the announcements on Wednesday evening are welcome, the business community fears we will be back in this position again in a few short months, seeking clarity on further extensions. The need to rebuild business confidence is now critical. Since the start of the year, County Wexford Chamber has warned that existing financial supports do not go far enough – far too many businesses are left out. For many who are eligible, the existing rates of support do not go far enough given the scale of economic shock facing the most vulnerable sectors and the length of time they have been impacted.’
Debts for many businesses are mounting and the supports available are rarely enough to offset them, she added.
‘When a reopening finally occurs, many businesses will see their lockdown debts threaten their long-term viability. None of our members want to risk a fourth wave, combined with another lockdown. County Wexford Chamber urges for a measured, conservative, data-driven approach to re-opening the economy which includes realistic supports for, and better communication with, restricted businesses.’
Reducing, if not eradicating, community transmission will be essential for businesses to re-open safely, Ms Dunphy said.
‘Ensuring the reopening is sustainable is another key challenge. Robust public-health measures must be in place to prevent the introduction of new strains of the virus. Without them we will undermine our progress in reducing transmission, which has come at such great sacrifice to so many, while also running the risk of undermining our own vaccine programme.
‘There is growing frustration throughout the business community regarding the Covid-19 communications and guidance. Trust is easily lost, and hard earned. Many business owners are losing their faith in the adequacy of the Government response, and if this happens, we are very concerned that it will erode adherence to the public health protocols. We are now 12 months on from the first case of Covid-19 in Ireland. County Wexford Chamber hopes the new Government strategy will be a fresh start, and an opportunity for us to use the lessons of the past year to suppress the virus while supporting local economies.’