The President of the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) has told her union's convention that Ireland is "last in the class" when it comes to investing in second level education.
500 second-level teachers are gathering in Wexford for the ASTI annual convention.
In her address to the conference, ASTI President Miriam Duggan cited the most recent 'Education at a Glance' report which ranked Ireland 36th out of the 36 countries surveyed in terms of investment in second level education as a percentage of GDP.
The Minister for Education Norma Foley addressed the convention this evening and as she entered the hall, some delegates held placards highlighting their opposition to teacher-based assessment.
Ms Duggan said that the ASTI will continue to resist any plans for teachers to assess their own students for State Certification claiming this adds to stress for students and leads to an unhealthy environment in the classroom.
"This is an absolute red line for our members and not just our members, refusing to assess students for state certification is also a red line issue for our sister union the TUI," Ms Duggan said.
She told delegates that, in common with other professions, young teachers can’t afford to buy or rent properties adding that it is little wonder that schools are facing a recruitment and retention crisis.
"These young teachers join a profession which relies on unpaid work, has limited promotion prospects and pays scant regard to teacher welfare," Ms Duggan said.
On Senior Cycle reform, Ms Duggan urged Minister Foley to engage in meaningful collaboration with teachers.
"This means the voice of the teacher being heard right from the start of the process rather than being told what the conclusion will be before being invited to express our views about how best to get there. Such ‘consultation’ is so superficial as to be meaningless," Ms Duggan said.
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In her address to the convention, the Minister for Education said that a Senior Cycle Redevelopment Partners' Forum has been established.
"I know that ASTI will play an active and proactive role as part of this Forum, and I look forward to your positive and proactive engagement as we go forward together," Ms Foley said.
She told delegates that the recruitment and retention of teachers is a priority area of action for her department and that she values the role of posts of responsibility in schools.
"At a policy level, and subject to budgetary considerations, I have requested Department officials to explore further how this wealth of potential within the workforce can be configured to support our broader policy goals of curriculum reform, special education provision, inclusion, creativity and other ambitions," Ms Foley said.
Topics being debated over the course of the three-day ASTI conference include senior cycle reforms, investment in schools and the need to address teacher shortages by ensuring teaching is a viable career option.
Motions are also being debated on issues such as class size, teacher workload and sick leave.
