Aontú Deputy Leader and East Derry representative Gemma Brolly has questioned the approach of the Education Minister in light of the recent publication of The Independent Review of Teacher Workload. The Irish Medium Primary School Teacher and SENCO stated: “This confirms what teachers have been saying for years: workload is excessive, bureaucracy is overwhelming, and the system has pushed staff to breaking point. These are not new concerns; they are long-standing, systemic, and urgently need to be addressed.
It is therefore deeply concerning that, rather than engaging with these issues, the Education Minister recently chose to take legal action over industrial action. Such a response feels adversarial and disconnected from the reality documented in this report. So many teachers have consistently cried out in genuine concern for their wellbeing and the education of their pupils, taking to the streets in protest.”
Ms. Brolly continued “This report vindicates the profession. It demonstrates that teachers were right to speak out and that their warnings have been justified. The Department of Education must now shift from confrontation to collaboration, taking meaningful action to reduce workload and restore respect for the profession.
Teachers have been warning about this crisis for years. This report finally proves we were right — what we need now is action in the form of systemic and cultural change, not legal threats.”
