Adjustments in teacher numbers announced by the ministry of education would target the staffing of primary schools with up to four teachers and fewer than 86 pupils, thus affecting the majority of Ireland’s primary schools, especially in remote rural areas. The campaign against the government cuts has been led by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, EI’s largest member organisation in Ireland.

INTO General Secretary Sheila Nunan was quoted on teachersolidarity.org, a blog covering the international teacher trade union movement, as saying: “Teachers are frontline when it comes to services to disadvantaged children. Every day they deal with its consequences such as poverty, hunger, alienation, marginalisation and anti-social behaviour. The cumulative impact of these changes needs to be re-examined."

A commentator in the Irish Times pointed out that these plans would be "robbing local communities of a vital part of their identity and jeopardising our high standards of primary school education."

The large disparities in educational opportunities which exist between urban and rural residents throughout the world are a consistent cause of concern for EI and teacher trade unions generally.

The empowerment of women living in rural areas , especially, through education, and their role in achieving development goals will be the priority theme of the 56th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, to be held in New York from 22 February-4 March. An EI delegation is attending the event, which will seek to identify good practices. Participants will also help develop strategies towards socio-economic empowerment of women living in rural areas, by improving their access to quality education and training.

To read the joint EI/ITUC/PSI statement for the UNCSW, please go here