Irish Times : ‘ A Fifth of secondary schools forced to drop subject due to teacher shortages’

Fifth of secondary schools forced to drop subjects due to teacher shortages, Irish Times 5/3/2026


In this article by Emmett Malone, the pressing issue of teacher shortages. Schools are being forced to drop essential subjects due to the lack of available educators.

Schools report significant challenges in both recruitment and retention, with 75% stating they have advertised at least one teaching vacancy over the past six months without receiving any applications.

This prompts the question: Are these vacancies primarily for full-time or part-time positions? It’s critical to consider that part-time roles may not be enticing enough for potential applicants.

The Department of Education has measures that allow schools to share teachers and combine hours across institutions, effectively creating full-time positions out of part-time offerings. However, it’s worth asking if these strategies are being used to their potential.

While in theory this is available to schools, it seems in practice it is a little complicated.

Schools might also explore alternative solutions to combat these shortages. For instance, offering niche or new subjects after regular school hours can be a viable option. If there’s enough student interest in a particular subject that doesn’t fit within the standard timetable, or there are limited teaching hours to create a meaningful post, schools could consider extending learning opportunities beyond normal hours. The school could recruit teachers already employed but outside of normal school hours. This approach not only addresses the shortage of teachers but also provides students with additional avenues to study subjects that align better with their career aspirations.

As a principal, I’ve personally implemented after-school programs that allowed students to delve into subjects they were passionate about, ultimately enhancing their educational experiences. These classes significantly enriched their senior cycle and improved their leaving certificate results, proving that creative scheduling can make a profound difference.