School take action over lack of staff

NOVEMBER 1998

TEACHING staff in the CBS National School stage a one-day strike to highlight the need for an extra teacher.

The industrial action is part of an INTO campaign to get the government to address the problems of underfunding and inadequate staffing nationwide.

With 265 pupils, the Chapel Street school is above the figure for an extra teacher but because of a current rule must wait until September, 1999 before being allowed to make an appointment.

‘ This (strike) is the only way to inform the public of the staffing and funding situation,’ says principal Liam Shaw.

He points out each primary school is funded to the amount of £50 per pupil, while the figure is £177 for post-primary schools.

Mr Shaw adds they aren’t begrudging the extra money given to secondary schools, but there is no justification for the £127 gap as all schools have the same expenses.

‘No business would be able to spend half its money on insurance and heating like we have to.’

Members of staff are joined on strike by Brian Hynes, president of the Irish National Teachers Organisation and Gerry Malone, local INTO representative.

Lending support throughout the day are members of the school’s board of management and some parents, while some motorists honk on their horns in a show of solidarity.

‘With the economy growing there is extra money and while everyone wants some of it, now is the time to put it into the primary education service which has been underfunded for years, before the opportunity is let go,’ says Mr Hynes.