asked the Minister for Education whether any consideration has been given by his Department to the encouragement of participation by parents in the management of schools in which their children are educated; and whether the Department will consider issuing a booklet encouraging parents to fulfil their obligations in this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Parent Participation in Education.
53.
This is a matter to which I referred at length in my reply to the Estimates debate for my Department. My statement on the matter is contained in the Official Report for the 23rd April last. References to the role of parents in relation to education are contained in the booklet entitled All our Children. I do not feel that the issue of a special booklet as suggested by the Deputy is called for.
Is the Minister satisfied that parents throughout the State are sufficiently well aware of their obligations in the matter of participation in school management in schools in which their children are being educated?
I am sure that the parents are aware of my views in this respect. It would be difficult to say whether the parents themselves, in every instance, are aware of their responsibilities in the matter. I should say that, in the vast majority of cases, they are so aware.
Is the Minister satisfied with the amount of participation by parents in the running of schools at present?
No. The Deputy will be aware that this is something relatively new. We would hope that perhaps the Deputy's question will, in itself, help.
Would the Minister keep an open mind on the question so that, looking at the matter over the next year or two, if he considers that parents are not fulfilling their obligation in this respect, the Department will issue the special booklet referred to on the subject of schemes of participation so that all parents will be encouraged to take up such responsibility?
We could consider how this might be done.