Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 18 Oct 1978

Vol. 308 No. 4

Written Answers. - Primary Schools Boards of Management.

423.

Mr. E. Collins

asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that the boards of management for primary schools were initially set up for a three year period and should have been reviewed prior to holding the current elections to such boards; and if he will state, (1) why such a review was not undertaken; (2) the consultations which he had in respect of such a review; (3) when it is intended to undertake a review; (4) if he is in favour of teachers having independently guaranteed representation on these boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

424.

Mr. Horgan

asked the Minister for Education if, and when, he proposes to carry out a review of the operation of primary school boards of management along the lines indicated by a previous Minister.

Minister for Education (Mr. Wilson)

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 423 and 424 together.

I am, of course, aware that the term of office of boards of management of national schools is three years and that as most boards were constituted in October 1975, new boards will need to be established in October 1978. I understand that the Minister at the time did agree to a review of the situation after experience had been gained of the operation of the boards for the first three years. It was not apparently envisaged that this would necessitate any hold up in the reconstitution of the boards after the expiration of their first term of office. The INTO requested a postponement of the review until January 1979, and my Department indicated in reply that it had no objection to that provided the other parties concerned agreed and that the reconstitution of the boards went ahead as planned. Under the existing constitution, the principal teacher is a member of the board and in the larger schools there is a second teacher representative elected by the staff of the school. As I have indicated previously on a number of occasions, I am in favour of teacher representation on boards of management of our schools.