SECOND-LEVEL TEACHERS HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN VACCINE ROLL-OUT
Wexford CBS teacher and Immediate Past President of the ASTI, Deirdre MacDonald said teachers have no confidence in the roll-out of the Covid vaccination programme following the succession of debacles they have witnessed.
‘At present, they have no confidence in system and that is evidence based because of all the mishaps they’ve seen’, said the Gorey native who welcomed the overwhelming support of ASTI members for a joint motion with the TUI and INTO, in favour of strike action if the Government does not restore vaccination priority to teachers.
Ms. MacDonald proposed the motion at ASTI conference with President Elect Eamonn Dennehy.
‘We think the experience of the past year has shown us how important it is for teachers and students to be in the classroom. There is nothing that comes near to the classroom experience in terms of quality teaching and learning.
‘It is not good enough for the Department of Education and the various Government ministers to speak about the wellbeing and health of teachers. We need action, not words’, she said.
‘We are looking for a parallel process for certain occupations to be vaccinated early alongside older age-groups. By prioritising teachers and other school staff, we are supporting and protecting education. All we are asking for is what was promised, that there would be measures put in place to ensure a safe working environnment for teachers.
‘We are being told that the health of teachers is very important but even those who health concerns or are over 60, are now required to go back to the classroom. There are no allowances being made for them - pregnant teachers don’t have to return because there is a review ongoing in relation to the possible danger of Covid-related stillbirth.
‘There is genuine fear. People are really very worried. We didn’t expect to be the first to be vaccinated but what we did expect is that when the increase in vaccine supply started, after healthcare workers and the elderly and vulnerable were looked after, that we would be vaccinated as soon as possible after that.
‘We’re not looking to be first in the queue. We fully accept the need for elderly and vulnerable people to be vaccinated first. We had no problem with that. We don’t mind waiting our turn.
Ms. MacDonald said the decision of the Government to go back on its word by de-prioritising teachers had left many of them in disbelief and feeling that ‘you can’t trust them.’