Poll: Teachers ought to have same holidays as civil service
Up to 30% of respondents are opposed to the change, while 25% don't know if holidays should be altered. Some 46% of the 1,000 people surveyed in the Extra.ie/Amárach poll believes teachers should be treated like other public servants.
The support is similar among the over-35s, with 50% of people aged 35 to 54 believing teachers' lengthy breaks need to be changed, 49% of those aged 55-64, and 48% of those aged 65-plus. Just 36% of under-35s want them aligned to other public service jobs. Almost half of us believe that teachers' months-long summer holidays should be in line with other public service jobs. Pic: File
Education Minister Helen McEntee has defended the length of schools' summer holidays, saying they offer people a chance to 'take a break'. She acknowledged that it was a challenge for parents in need of childcare, and said that any decision on changing the length of the school year would require a considered approach.
There has been some commentary in recent weeks that the length of the school holidays – three months for secondary schools and two months for primary schools – is outdated, as Ireland has some of the longest school breaks in Europe.
Visiting a primary school last week in Clondalkin, Dublin, where children were taking part in a summer programme for two weeks, Ms McEntee said: 'I'm here in a school where you have principals, teachers, [and] SNAs, who are working and supporting children throughout the summer. Education Minister Helen McEntee has defended the length of schools' summer holidays, saying they offer people a chance to 'take a break'. Pic: Stephen Collins /Collins Photos
'What we find, particularly for our secondary schools, is they're actually coming back earlier now, in August, so the Leaving Cert results will be out from the 22nd, some students are actually in that week and, in fact, the following week is when a lot of schools are coming back.
'Our teachers work hard. Our schools are very active throughout the year. I think the time taken throughout the summer gives everybody a chance to take a break.'
The children at St Mary's Junior National School in Clondalkin learn literacy and numeracy, and how to bake, as part of the summer programme to support children, including those with special educational needs. Some 1,800 schools are participating in the programme this year, including 80 special schools – an increase of 16% from last year. Pic: File
Some 1,800 schools are participating in the programme this year, including 80 special schools – an increase of 16% from last year. Ms McEntee said the programme began 'with a particular emphasis on special education'.
She continued: 'For children with additional needs, to have that structure and to have that focus is really, really important. And I think there was an acknowledgement that to have that extra support throughout the summer is something that would be hugely beneficial, not just for the students but also for the parents.
'It's since expanded. It's not just a focus on special schools or additional needs, it's a focus on our Deis schools, making sure that where children – and it's not all children that access the programme – but if there is that need there to have that extra support, throughout the summer, it's there. It's also fun.' Ms McEntee did acknowledge 'the challenges for parents when it comes to childcare, when it comes to the fact that in many households you have both parents working full-time. Pic: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie
Ms McEntee did acknowledge 'the challenges for parents when it comes to childcare, when it comes to the fact that in many households you have both parents working full-time, so the summer does pose challenges.
'I think any changes to summer breaks, any changes to holidays, that's something that would always have to be considered in engagement and consultation with schools, with teachers, with parents'.
Ms McEntee announced a National Convention on Education to inform a long-term strategy for primary and secondary education.
Professor Anne Looney, who will chair the convention, said she was looking forward to being involved in ensuring 'we give our learners and those who work with them the best opportunities to flourish and succeed'.
The teachers' unions, ASTI, INTO, and TUI, were contacted for comment.
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