Jobs Crisis for Young Teachers

As the current academic year draws to a close, the shocking statistics of the number of newly qualified teachers unemployed here in Northern Ireland will have a devastating impact on those receiving their results in the coming days who hope to go into the profession.

Last year, of the 1,163 teaching students from Northern Ireland, only 94 – a staggeringly low 8% – were able to find posts here. Of those, 679 were trained in the five teaching institutions in the North, with only 54 securing permanent positions here.

The vast majority of these teachers have now found themselves in the dole queue or working in the service industry to pay off huge debts racked up due to the rising cost of living and inadequate financial support for students.

Thanks to devastating budget cuts in education and Minister O’Dowd’s plans for school closures, the situation certainly looks bleak for those graduating this year. As schools are no longer hiring, costs in bringing in substitute teachers – mainly retired teachers struggling to get by – have soared, putting further strains on the budget.

The education of our children is fundamental in the shaping of society and these conditions cannot continue. An increased budget without cuts to other areas is needed to protect education. Through the creation of new posts, hiring of new teachers and a sustainable pension for retired teachers we could ensure a future for those seeking employment and provide better education for our young people.

Total
0
Shares
Previous Article

Kick profit out of sport

Next Article

Jail the banksters! Nationalise the banks under popular democratic control

Related Posts

ALL-OUT ON 30 NOV

 

STRIKE ACTION CAN DEFEAT CUTS - Defend Jobs, Pensions & Services

Over two million workers across Northern Ireland and Britain are being balloted for a one day public sector strike on 30th November – the biggest strike since the General Strike of 1926.

NIPSA Conference: Elections see shift to the left

THE RECENT annual conference of the largest trade union in Northern Ireland, NIPSA, has delivered a significant change in the make up of the union’s elected leadership.

All the key positions in the union including President, Vice President and Treasurer have been won by left wing candidates. For the first time in its history, the important Civil Service Group Executive which deals with terms and conditions for Northern Ireland’s civil servants has an elected left wing majority.