Conference Resolutions 2010

1. CEC – Funding for Education
Conference notes the savage cuts proposed for Education. Conference instructs the Executive to meet, as a matter of extreme urgency, with the main political parties and to press the case for the protection of funding for frontline educational services.

2. N’ARDS/NORTH DOWN BRANCH
Conference is concerned about the demands placed on Beginning Teachers in respect of EPD. Conference considers that the time scale is too lengthy and that there needs to be greater consistency in relation to the requirements placed on individual teachers.

3. N’ARDS/NORTH DOWN BRANCH – EPD
Conference notes that many Beginning Teachers do not have permanent jobs and thus lose a day’s pay when attending EPD training. Conference calls on the employing authorities to ensure that these teachers receive payment for attendance at training days.

4. FIT GROUP
Conference deeply regrets the lack of employment opportunities for young teachers. Conference urges the Department of Education to implement appropriate strategies, which will help alleviate the workload for classroom teachers by employing young teachers.

5. CEC – ESA
Conference expresses its alarm at the continuing delay and uncertainty with regard to the establishment of ESA. Conference calls on the existing employing authorities to ensure there is no further diminution of support to schools.

6. CEC – SEN
Conference is alarmed at the significant implications which the proposals in the Special Educational Needs and Inclusion Review place on schools. Conference calls on the Minister to ensure that:

i) the policy clarifies inclusion;

ii) the present statutory rights of children are upheld;

iii) there is early identification of SEN and that these are supported by effective early intervention;

iv) there is a fair balance of accountability and responsibility between schools and statutory agencies;

v) there is effective support for capacity building and training

and

. vi) funding for SEN is ‘ring fenced’ within school budgets.

7. CAUSEWAY BRANCH – Revised Curriculum
Conference deplores the lack of support given to teachers during the phased introduction of the Revised Curriculum. Conference affirms its belief that in order to ensure that standards continue to rise resources must be made available. Conference calls on the Department of Education to ensure that adequate resources are made available to support the continuing provision of the Revised Curriculum.

8. CAUSEWAY BRANCH - Use of INCAs
Conference continues to urge the Department to apply the INCAs as internal assessment tools for use in individual schools and not for the purpose of transferring pupils at age 11.

9. N’ARDS/NORTH DOWN BRANCH – INCAS
Conference notes with alarm the errors made in reporting back the results for this year’s INCAS. Conference demands that the Department of Education remove the statutory reporting to parents until such time as all partners might agree on the validity of test scores.

10. CEC – Selection at 11
Conference reaffirms its opposition to academic selection at 11. Conference views with alarm the introduction of private tests by some post primary schools. Conference instructs the Executive to seek agreement with the other members of the NITC to campaign for a complete end to testing at 11.

11. CEC - Teacher Health and Wellbeing
Conference deplores the lack of progress being made on the development of a Teacher Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Conference notes that the increasing pressures on teachers is continuing to affect teacher’s mental health. Conference calls on the Executive to pursue the implementation of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy as a matter of urgency.

12. Class Size Campaign
Conference welcomes the work initiated by the Joint Board in relation to our overcrowded classrooms. Conference notes that research demonstrates that reductions in class size bring about an overall improvement in pupil performance.

Conference reaffirms its commitment that class size should be no greater than :

18 in Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1
24 in Key Stage 2
20 in Key Stage 3.

Conference calls on the Department of Education to issue guidance to schools on class size in composite classes and in classes containing pupils with statements of special educational needs.

Conference instructs the UTU/INTO Joint Board to seek the support of parents to help achieve these objectives.

13. CEC - Premature Retirement Compensation
Conference notes with alarm the chaos and confusion which was caused last year in relation to the proposed changes to the Premature Retirement Scheme. Conference further notes that there is still no decision made in relation to implementing any changes this year. Conference demands that the employing authorities defer any implementation at this late stage in the school year.

14. CAUSEWAY BRANCH - Workload
Conference calls on the Department of Education, as a matter of urgency, to implement the Curran Report to guarantee 10% of teachers’ timetabled teaching time is set aside for lesson planning.

15. Principal Appointments
Conference notes the increasing number of teachers who now possess PQH but are not in a Vice-Principal post. Conference calls on the Employing Authorities to advise Boards of Governors that the inclusion of a criterion which is based on service as a Vice-Principal may well discriminate against these highly qualified teachers.

16. Healthy Eating
Conference welcomes the guidance provided by the Department of Education in relation to Nutritional Standards in schools. Conference however is alarmed at attempts to coerce schools into an enforcement role in respect of pupil lunch boxes. Conference calls on the ETI to review the guidance provided by Inspectors in this matter.

Change to Rules and Constitution – to be considered in Private Session

1. Entitlement to Membership of CEC

Western Area Association proposes the deletion of Present Rule 15

Only members of the Union as defined in Rules 65.1.1, 65.1.2, 65.1.3, and 65.1.5 shall be eligible for election to the Executive. On a Member of the Executive no longer remaining eligible for membership under Rules 65.1.1, 65.1.2, 65.1.3 and 65.1.5 that Member shall resign Membership of the Executive forthwith.

And its replacement with a new rule 15

New Rule 15 would read
Only members of the Union as defined in Rules 65.1.1, 65.1.2, 65.1.3, 65.1.14, 65.1.5 and 65.1.6 shall be eligible for election to the Executive. On a Member of the Executive no longer remaining eligible for membership under Rules 65.1.1, 65.1.2, 65.1.3, 65.1.4, 65.1.6 and 65.1.6 that Member shall resign Membership of the Executive forthwith.