asked the Minister for Education if he has amended the Rules for National Schools since the date of the latest published edition (1965); if so, if he will specify each amendment made; the date on which he signed and sealed each amendment; if he will specify the legal instruments used to effect each amendment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Rules for National Schools.
16.
Rule 165 of the Rules for National Schools reads as follows:
These Rules may be altered or rescinded by the Minister with, in the case of rules involving finance, the concurrence of the Minister for Finance.
Numerous amendments to the rules have been made by successive Ministers since the 1965 edition of the rules were published. These amendments have been promulgated through circulars issued by the Department as the occasion arose.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate for inclusion in the Official Report, a list indicating the rules which have been amended and the nature of the amendments.
Revision of the Rules for National Schools since 1965.
The revision made in the Rules since 1965 relate to the following areas:
1. Management of Schools and Appointment of Teachers: The current edition of the Rules must be read in the context of the booklet entitled "Boards of Management of National Schools: Constitution of Boards and Rules of Procedure". In October 1975, Boards of Management, comprising representatives of the patrons, the parents and the teachers, were established in the vast majority of national schools. The booklet referred to was prepared following consultation with representatives of the patrons and the managerial and teaching organisations. Copies were sent to each Board member in November 1976.
2. Operating Costs of National Schools: With the introduction of the management system, the former separate schemes of grants towards the cost of heating and cleaning of national schools, periodic painting of such schools and provision of teaching requisites were replaced by a scheme of annual capitation grants towards the operating costs of national schools.
3. Capital Matters: Matters relating to capital expenditure on a national school are the responsibility of the trusteees and the patron. The patron may designate the Board or a member of the board to act on behalf of the Trustees in dealing with the Department of Education and the Office of Public Works in regard to capital expenses.
4. Colleges of Education for National Teachers: With effect from 1974 the course of training in the recognised Colleges of Education was extended from two to three years with a university degree as the terminal qualification and an appropriate adjustment in the minimum age for open competition candidates. The college of Education are now constituent colleges of the National University of Ireland and of the University of Dublin. In 1972 a competition for the admission of mature students was initiated; in that year also a scheme of grants for necessitous students was introduced. The requirement to refund the cost of training was discontinued in 1969.
5. Eligibility for Appointment to certain posts of Female National Teachers: The grade of junior assistant mistress has been abolished since 1966. Any discrimination in the rules in relation to the eligibility of qualified women teachers for appointment to certain posts has been removed.
6. Salary Structure: Following the report of the Ryan Tribunal a common basic scale of salary with allowances for academic qualifications and posts of responsibility was introduced for primary and post-primary teachers with effect from 1 July, 1968. The category of average enrolment of each school was replaced by a system of points rating which was determined by reference to the number and ages of pupils on rolls on the annual census date. The number and grades of posts of responsibility to which a school is entitled is governed by the points rating of the school.
The rates of salary and allowances are determined from time to time by the Minister for Education with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance on the basis of recommendations made by the Conciliation Council and Arbitration Board for Teachers.
7. Primary Certificate: The primary school certificate was abolished in 1967 and was replaced by a system of school reports and school record cards.
8. Amalgamation: The policy of amalgamating small schools was formally introduced in February, 1966. The policy referred specially to one and two-teacher schools. Its objectives were (a) to secure larger school units where the new curriculum could be effectively catered for and (b) to secure a more equitable distribution of teachers. Certain concessions were granted to teachers in amalgamated schools in order to preserve their monetary position and their security of tenure.
9. Curriculum: A new child-centred curriculum was introduced in 1971. The following are the individual Rules in the current Code which have been the subject of revisions:
Rule 15: See 1 above.
Rule 18: See 1 above.
Rule 19: The provision in relation to insurance is stated as follows in the booklet referred to at 1 above.
"The trustees undertake that the buildings shall continue to be used as a national school for the terms of the lease and also to insure the premises and contents against fire and tempest".
Rule 51: See 1 above. This Rule has been deleted.
Rule 52 and Schedule xii and xiii. See under 1 above.
Rules 53, 59, 60 and 65: The minimum period of school operation has been reduced from 190 days to 184.
Rule 56: The minimum daily period of secular instruction has been extended by 10 minutes.
Rule 57: Maximum vacation has been increased from 50 days to 56 days.
Rule 64: Section 3 (a) The upper age limit for compulsory school attendance was raised from 14 years to 15 years with effect from 1st July, 1972.
SECTION (7) This section has been modified by the deletion of subsection (a) and the following portion of subsection (b) "whichever is the earlier".
Rule 70 and 71: See 9 above.
Rule 73: See 7 above
Rule 75: See 5 and 6 above.
Rule 76: See 6 above. The conditions governing the eligibility of teachers for appointment to certain posts of responsibility have been revised.
Rules 77 and 78: See 5 above.
Rule 79: Deleted.
Rule 80: Amended to include both sexes.
Rule 83 (4): Deleted.
Rule 86: See 5 above.
Rules 89 and 137: See 5, 6 and 8 above.
Rules 90 and 91: Deleted.
Rule 92: See 5 above.
Rule 93 (4) (b): Deleted.
Rule 94: See 5 above.
Rule 96 (3): Deleted.
Rule 97, 98: See 5 and 8 above.
Rule 101: See 8 above.
Rule 119: Replaced by new rule. Circular 19/75.
Rules 88, 103 and Schedule xvii: The figures of average enrolment and attendance on which the teaching staff is determined are revised from time to time.
Rules 131, 133, 138, 139 and Schedules ix and x: See 6 above.
Rule 139 (5): Amended to include both sexes.
Rule 143: This rule was revised with effect from 1 January, 1974. Instead of additional increments a special allowance is now payable on the same conditions.
Rule 150: Teachers who entered the service before 1 July 1968, continue to receive a grant at the rate of 10 per cent of scale salary subject to the other conditions of the rule. For teachers appointed on or after 1 July 1968, an allowance at a rate fixed from time to time is payable.
Rules 154, 155, 156, 157 and 160: See 4 above.
Rule 161: Revised circular issued in relation to inspection.
Schedule 1: See 1 above.
Schedule VI: Regulations governing this scheme have been modified considerably since 1968. The current rate payable is £2 per necessitous pupil enrolled in Standards 1-VI inclusive.
Schedule XI: Revised rates 1971.
Schedules IX and X: See 6 above.
Schedule XII and XIII: See 1 above.