The Department of Education has said it strongly rejects an interpretation by the Teachers’ Union of Ireland of the teacher allocations at post primary level for the coming school year.
The TUI had earlier claimed provisional allocation figures for 731 schools show that there will be nearly 3,600 second-level teachers less in the system, as compared with last year.
It says the new department figures on teacher numbers are 'shocking' and 'devastating to the prospects of young people'.
However, in a statement, the Department of Education rejected the TUI's interpretation of the figures and insisted initial allocations are provisional and exclude additional appointments of special needs and language support teachers.
It says cutbacks would be more in the region of 1,000 posts spread out over several years
The Joint Managerial Body representing the management of almost 400 Voluntary Secondary schools, says it will have 1,000 less teachers this year which confirms its worst fears.
