'It has got worse, no question' - Teacher shortage crisis as almost 1,000 vacancies in primary and special schools nationwide

One primary-school principal has spoken out about his own experience, having to hire unqualified people when teachers were absent. The situation demonstrates how critical staffing issues are affecting children's education.

Cormac O'Farrell, principal of St Martin's National School in Brittas, Co Dublin, stated, 'It has got worse, there's no question. There's a shortage across the board of teachers and every school is the same.'

O'Farrell emphasized that support roles are suffering as teachers are drafted to cover classes, expressing concern that 'at times, you would love to have a teacher who is into music, art or PE, but you don't have that luxury any more.'

As he described the diminishing pool of qualified substitutes, O'Farrell noted that 'in the last five or six years, it’s been near impossible to fill roles and the number of CVs for vacancies are trickling in, if at all.'

Read at Irish Independent