Poll: Should schools be allowed to hire the unemployed to work for free?

Under a new scheme, schools will be able to hire unemployed teachers, graduates and non-graduates to work for free. So is it a great opportunity for them to build their cv, or exploitation?

LAST NIGHT, Tánaiste Mary Coughlan rubberstamped a Fás scheme allowing schools to recruit unemployed people to work for free in their classrooms, for periods of up to 9 months.

The scheme is open to teachers, non-teaching graduates, and non-graduates. Participants will still get their dole money and the Tánaiste says it’s a chance for teachers to keep their skills current, and graduates to gain work experience as a probationary teacher.

Teachers’ unions warn it smacks of exploitation. But what do you think? Should schools be allowed to hire unemployed teachers and other staff to work for free?

Poll Results:

No (557)

Yes (199)

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