“New row over 2,000 retired teachers’ test work”

Samantha Levine
Current Event 10
Soc 202
On Friday October 30th, 2009 John Walshe wrote the article “New row over 2,000 retired teachers’ test work” in the newspaper, Independent. The article for education focuses on retired educators going back to work as examiners and markers. Although this sounds like a fine idea, there are many issues that people are finding with the new employees. The three main problems that were brought to attention were how these examiners and markers were taking over substitute jobs as well, getting paid extreme amounts, and although the job description states one must be qualified to maintain such a job, some did not have all criteria met.
Of the 2,000 retired teachers whom have now become either examiners or markers are also working as substitutes within classrooms. It was stated within the article that two-thirds subbed at primary level. Fine Gael, a woman who is active within education “…call for the work to be ringfenced for young teachers.” What this woman is trying to get across is that these retired educators need to back off and let the teachers substitute. Many people are hoping that they will back down and teachers can teach, since the “unions insisted that the position had changed this year.”
The retired and now new examiners and markers are earning between €1,500 and €8,000, which is an average rate of €117.93 per day. “The exams lasted 13 days, which meant that most of the superintendents earned €1,533 before tax.” “This year the State Examinations Commission (SEC) hired 12,513 examiners and superintendents -- while 7,500 superintendents were appointed directly by schools to superintend special examinations centres.” What really bothered people, was how the money these people earned was the same “whether or not the individual was employed or retired, qualified or unqualified”.
The last thing that people had an issue with was although the job description states one must be qualified to maintain such a job, some did not have all criteria met. How can a person get paid the same amount as another if he or she is not qualified for the job? Also, what parent would want someone teaching their child when they do not obtain the knowledge to teach? “Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) general secretary Peter MacMenamin said it was preferable that the exam work was given to teachers who were experiencing financial difficulties due to cuts in hours or difficulty securing work.”
When asked people were told that the “the union executive had already urged schools to give priority to younger qualified teachers when substitute work became available in preference to teachers who had voluntarily retired.” Hopefully they will get this figured out soon and without must trouble. Playing with education especially exams are no joke. .
http://www.independent.ie/education/latest-news/new-row-over-2000-retired-teachers-test-work-1929136.html