On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, Peter O’Connell was joined by Brendan Horan Clare INTO Rep and Edel Smith, Principal of Carrigaholt NS to discuss primary school teacher shortages and smartphone use in school.
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO), in conjunction with the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) and the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association (CPSMA) today published the results of an extensive survey highlighting an unprecedented level of vacant teaching posts in primary and special schools.
The survey found that in total, there is a current shortfall of 809 permanent, fixed-term and long-term substitute teachers in the schools who responded to the survey.
To make matters even worse, these schools have also indicated that they anticipate having an additional 1,202 long-term vacancies within the next three months.
Minister for Education Norma Foley will also bring a memo to Cabinet on Tuesday which will aim to encourage parents not to buy smartphones for primary school children.
The minister said the vast majority of schools, particularly at primary level, do not support the use of smartphones within schools.
You can listen to the full interview below.
