Educators' union calls for injury compensation for teachers

The Union of Professional Educators (UPE) has called for better security measures within schools, as well as injury compensation for educators who are injured while on duty.

The union said it was disappointed that, while army personnel were being offered compensation for injuries incurred in the course of their duties, this was not the case for educators.

“Personnel in the armed forces and customs officers may now be offered compensation in case they suffer an injury in the course of the performance of their duties. Unfortunately, the Union must express its extreme disappointment that, once again, educators have not been afforded the same consideration,” a spokesperson for UPE said.

The union was reacting to a new scheme that was unveiled on Monday which will now see members of the disciplined forces benefit from a maximum of €180,000 in cases of extreme disabilities incurred while on duty.

It stressed that for years, educators have been subjected to unexpected violence in their work environment.

“We believe it is the obligation of the state to give reassurance and ensure parity to all those involved in schools and colleges by offering compensation in cases of personal injury resulting from such violent incidents.”

UPE is urgings the government to implement the same measures, that are being offered to the disciplined forces, in the “eventuality” that educators are injured when on duty “by third-party aggressors and students”.