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There is a call for unconscious bias training to be rolled out to all staff at third-level institutions, after unacceptable comments by GMIT lecturers about their students.
That is according to Fine Gael Senator and education spokesperson Aisling Dolan.
Students at the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) were able to hear two staff members discuss students presentations and allocate marks, after an online connection remained live.
Some of the clips include insulting language - such as a staff member asking whether there was something wrong with one student.
Several video clips of the incident have been widely shared across messaging apps.
GMIT incident highlights need for unconscious bias training for college staff
15th December 2020 - Aisling Dolan
A shocking incident in which lecturers were overheard using insulting language about their students has highlighted the need for unconscious bias training for all staff in the Higher Education sector, a Fine Gael Senator has said.
Aisling Dolan, Fine Gael spokesperson for Education, Further & Higher Education, said “I was shocked and distressed to learn of an incident were lecturers at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology were overheard making personal remarks in relation to students while grading them for virtual assessments after an online meeting.
“This behaviour is unacceptable, unprofessional and has rightly angered and upset students and parents.
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GMIT apologises, after lecturers recorded making remarks about students Published: Tuesday, 15 December 2020 07:54
The President of the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology has apologised, after two lecturers were recorded making remarks about students as they discussed grades at the end of a Zoom session.
Video clips have been circulating on social media in recent days, which show the lecturers commenting on the abilities of students, while marking an assignment that involved a presentation.
The two lecturers can be heard questioning the abilities of individual students by name.
In a statement yesterday on the institute s website, GMIT President Dr Orla Flynn issued an apology for the data breach, which she said has caused such deep hurt and dismay.
Calls for third level staff to receive unconscious bias training following ’shocking’ GMIT incident
Senator Aisling Dolan said she was “distressed” to learn of the incident at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. Picture: Ray Ryan
Tue, 15 Dec, 2020 - 16:00
Greg Murphy
A Fine Gael education spokesperson has said the “shocking” incident in which lecturers were overheard using insulting language about their students has highlighted the need for unconscious bias training for all staff in the Higher Education sector.
Senator Aisling Dolan said she was “distressed” to learn of the incident at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology.
“This behaviour is unacceptable, unprofessional and has rightly angered and upset students and parents, she said.