Union advocates 'super teacher' role

By STUART DYE education reporter

A new breed of super teacher could soon be in secondary schools, helping students and mentoring junior colleagues.

The Post Primary Teachers' Association is calling on the Government to create up to eight new specialist classroom assistant posts in all secondary schools.

The call has been tabled by the PPTA as part of its contract negotiations for the next three years.

The association believes the new positions would open up a fresh path so teachers do not become "administrators and managers", as they climb the career ladder.

"It is about elevating teachers so they are recognised and valued for the expertise and skills they have in the classroom," said PPTA president Phil Smith.

Traditionally, the teaching career path leads from the classroom to management roles within a school.

The new posts would allow people to progress in their careers while remaining teachers - a proposition more attractive to many young people, Mr Smith said.

The idea is part of a collective agreement claim lodged with the Ministry of Education.

The key items in the package are:

* A 10.46 per cent pay increase over three years.

* A freeze on student loan interest while a person remains in secondary teaching.

* Five non-contact hours a week.

* The creation of new specialist classroom positions.

* 30 research sabbaticals a year.

Mr Smith said making secondary teaching more attractive and rewarding and building on the quality of teachers' skills were key objectives.

The package was designed to address the most significant issues facing secondary teaching - recruitment, retention and workload.

Mr Smith said many schools were struggling to fill vacancies and teachers were forced to teach outside their specialist areas.

"If we are to improve, clearly we need to enhance conditions so that new graduates see teaching as a viable career choice and those already in the profession see it as an attractive career with a future."

The current agreement expires at the end of next month and the PPTA said it expected a Government response within eight weeks.

Both sides are keen to avoid the bitter negotiations of three years ago.

"However, many of our schools are still struggling to fill key positions," warned Mr Smith.

WHAT PPTA WANTS

10.46pc rise over three years.

Freeze on student-loan interest.

Five non-teaching hours a week.

Creation of a new role - classroom assistant.

Research sabbaticals.