Northern Ireland

Older teachers to make way for younger classroom staff

Hundreds of recently qualified teachers will be employed in schools through the new scheme
Hundreds of recently qualified teachers will be employed in schools through the new scheme Hundreds of recently qualified teachers will be employed in schools through the new scheme

Up to 500 older teachers are to leave the classroom to make way for younger staff.

Education minister John O'Dowd has approved a £33.1 million investment which will see hundreds of recently qualified teachers employed in schools.

The money, allocated by the Executive from the Public Sector Transformation Fund, will be used to "re-shape the teaching workforce as part of a dual approach to a strategic cost reduction scheme for schools".

Since 2013/14, more than 2,000 graduates have registered with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland, of which it is understood about 1,400 do not yet hold a permanent teaching position in a grant-aided school.

Mr O'Dowd said the benefits of refreshing the workforce and providing employment opportunities for recently qualified teachers, and the resulting boost to the economy, could not be underestimated.

A previous study by the Irish News found two out of every three teachers in the north were at the top of their pay scale, placing a huge strain on under-pressure school budgets.

About half the profession, the report found, boosted their maximum basic pay of more than £36,000 a year with annual allowances worth up to £12,000.

Newly qualified staff, on point one of the teachers' pay scale earn slightly more than £22,000 a year.

Investing in the Teaching Workforce will open to applications early in the new year. Schools will reduce their teaching costs with recently qualified teachers filling the place of staff eligible for premature retirement - those 55 or older.

"In turn, the scheme will allow those teachers over the age of 55 to retire with recognition of their contribution to education," Mr O'Dowd said.

"There are some 2,350 teachers aged 55-plus who are employed in schools. It is estimated that up to 500 teachers may leave the profession under the new scheme."

Mr O'Dowd added that the new scheme would align closely with his vision for education, "which is to ensure that every learner fulfils his or her potential at each stage of their development".

"Teaching unions and employers are working with the department on the development of the scheme. Applications will be considered, in the first instance, by boards of governors as they are the employer of teachers. In considering applications, BoGs will ensure the continued delivery of the curriculum for pupils," he said.

The INTO union last night welcomed the plan.

"The minister is investing in the teaching profession which is the most valuable resource available to our children," said northern secretary Gerry Murphy.

"This is a good example of forward, long-term planning."