The Minister of Education’s description of teacher shortages as an “opportunity” for schools has been condemned as “shameful”. 

Fianna Fáil’s Norma Foley made the remark while participating in a debate on education organised by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation. 

When asked whether she would regard the shortage of teachers in Irish schools as a crisis, Minister Foley replied, “The word crisis when written in one particular language means ‘opportunity’ or it means ‘division’ or ‘disappointment’.”  

“We see it as an opportunity to do more and more in this space,” she added. 

On The Hard Shoulder, teacher Peter Melrose said he completely rejected the sentiment behind the Minister’s remarks. 

“Apparently it’s from Japanese,” he said. 

“So, if Norma Foley wants to go Japan and be Minister for Education there, they can have her but over in Ireland, we definitely have a crisis when it comes to teacher supply.” 

Mr Melrose said the shortage of teachers is particularly acute in the capital and neighbouring counties. 

“I’ll tell you very plainly, one-in-two schools in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow have an unfilled post,” he said. 

“Principals are being put in the impossible position of deciding where those teachers go and, invariably and unfortunately, the roles that are being left unfilled are the support roles. 

“That means that we are letting down the most vulnerable students in our schools.” 

Students listening to their teacher in a classroom. Image: Wavebreak Media Premium / Alamy

Mr Melrsoe said Minister Foley’s remarks were “shameful” and “revisionist”. 

“I think the period from COVID to now, I think we’re going to look back in a few years and think it’s an absolute scandal,” he said. 

“I think it’s going to have a generational impact on kids who are not getting the support that they deserve. 

“It’s at the Minister’s door and her abject failure to acknowledge a problem, means that the problem is not going to be solved.” 

Housing

Mr Melrose said there “literally thousands of teachers abroad” and predicted many will not come back because of the high cost of buying a home. 

“They are abroad because they can’t afford a home and they’re going over to places like Dubai and Australia to save for a deposit,” he said. 

“They’re looking back at Ireland and going, ‘No, not yet, maybe not ever.’

“The housing crisis is inextricably linked with the teaching supply crisis; we have teachers who won’t teach in Dublin because they can’t afford the rent.” 

The Labour Party has called for teachers working in Dublin to be paid more to compensate for the higher cost of living.

Main image shows Minister for Education Norma Foley. Photo: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie