5th September 2025
Educate Together has always recognised the vital role of school secretaries and caretakers. These staff are the backbone of our schools, carrying out essential functions and providing daily support to students, families, teachers and principals.
In May, Educate Together was one of the first organisations to publicly support the Pension Parity Campaign. We continue to stand in solidarity with secretaries and caretakers, and to advocate for a fair and timely solution to the current dispute.
School communities across our network have shown their support for their secretaries and caretakes in many different ways this week, confirming that these valued staff members are at the heart of school life
The disruption caused by this week’s industrial action confirms the essential nature of the work done by these important staff members in schools. School communities are facing growing challenges as the industrial action continues. Educate Together has been providing ongoing support to boards of management, for whom the health and safety of students and staff is of paramount concern.
Educate Together is calling on all parties to engage in dialogue as a matter of urgency, so that all members of the school team can return to working together as soon as possible, and so that children and young people can continue to learn in a positive and well-supported environment.
