‘DUP/Sinn Fein Executive failing young teachers’ – McNulty

SDLP Assembly Member for Newry and Armagh Justin McNulty MLA has described the anger of many young teachers as real and has claimed that the DUP /SF Executive is forcing many young teachers to emigrate.

Speaking to Newry Times, McNulty said, “Peter Weir’s recent confirmation that he is to press ahead with John O’Dowd’s Investing in the Teaching Workforce Scheme has come as a body blow to many young teachers locally who are now faced with the real prospect of immigration if they are to stay in the profession.

“When John O’Dowd came up with the proposal it was met with real opposition by young teachers. Before being elevated to Ministerial office Peter weir was completely opposed to the scheme and now he has rubber stamped it.

“Young teachers are aghast at his u-turn and are deeply cynical that the announcement on the scheme was squeezed in at the end of term and under a cloud created by Brexit,” the local MLA insisted.

“In recent weeks I have met many young teachers desperately concerned about the impact the Minister’s decision will have on their lives. They personally feel let down by Peter Weir.

He continued, “All confidence that when he became minister he would resolve the problem has been dashed; instead he has continued John O’Dowds policy of raising our best teachers for export.

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“This scheme, whist extended from three to five years post qualification still discriminates against young people. Let there be no doubt, a scheme is needed to allow some longer serving teachers to retire early but in this guise its wrong.

“I have heard time and time again countless young men and women explain that whilst they have never had a permanent post, they have been working full time since graduation, be it covering maternity leave, fixed term contracts or principal releases they will be unable to apply for any posts crated under this scheme.

“They have built up experience since graduation and yet are being discriminated against. Peter Weir is just continuing with John O’Dowd’s failed policies and he must reconsider this scheme. We need to retain our bright young teachers here not export them.

McNulty added, “The personal cost to young teachers of this scheme is dreadful, many who have been searching for a permanent job since qualifying and as a result find it almost impossible to take long-term decisions such as buying houses or having children. The Minister must listen to the people who are impacted by his decisions and act accordingly.”

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Posted by Newry Times News on Jul 28 2016. Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry