asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the increasing disciplinary problems being encountered by teachers in post-primary schools, she proposes examining the existing codes of discipline and the possible introduction of more effective disciplinary sanctions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Post-Primary School Discipline.
14.
Having received and considered the view of interested parties on the report of the Committee on Discipline in Schools, I have just recently issued to the authorities of all post-primary schools guidelines on a code of discipline for post-primary schools.
I am confident that those guidelines will assist with the drawing up of a fair and efficient code of discipline encompassing rules, sanctions and procedures for schools.
I welcome the Minister's decision to notify schools of guidelines, structures etc. Is the Minister aware that at a court case in Finglas on 15 April 1988 a teacher was sued for £15,000 for assaulting a student and that the case was thrown out by Judge Frank Martin? I put it to the Minister that the judge's decision underlines the general view that teachers, particularly at post-primary level, are daily facing challenges to their authority, that the law of the schools is being flouted and the education process is being considerably injured and the guidelines in question should be reviewed on an on-going basis to ensure that discipline is enforced and maintained.
I would not propose to comment here on any individual court decision. Regarding the second part of the question that the guidelines on discipline be constantly monitored and reviewed, I think that is a good suggestion and I am sure it is one which the Department would intend to follow.
I suggest to the Minister that, apart altogether from disciplinary procedures, the Minister might consider issuing uniform, clearly defined national guidelines in relation to sanctions, such as suspension and explusion of students, and that it should become a prerequisite or a very definite procedural sanction. Where a student is expelled from a particular school the obligation and the duty should devolve on the school authority to notify the Department of the decision so that the Department can undertake alternative education for the student in question.
The guidelines are of general application and, indeed, the original code of discipline and the guidelines which issued were drawn up after considerable consultation with all the interested parties. As the Deputy is aware from his years in the classroom discipline is very much, in a specific sense, the issue of each classroom, each principal and each management authority. To apply specific national guidelines would not be appropriate. We have provided a very thorough frame work for the code of discipline. Within that framework the managerial authorities of both primary and post-primary schools implement their educational aspirations and their discipline aspirations. As the Deputy is aware, in the heel of the hunt it is up to individual schools to work out the specific details of each code of discipline.
Will the Minister confirm to the House that under no circumstances in regard to the subject matter we are dealing with will she agree to the return of the savagery of corporal punishment?
A previous Minister abolished corporal punishment. I am in complete agreement with that decision.
Will the Minister not agree that the low level of input in relation to guidance and remedial teaching and support services account to a considerable extent for the breakdown in discipline in class because the appointment of guidance and remedial teachers is done on a crude numerical, mathematical calculation?
No, discipline is a matter of home and school. It is an interplay between home and school. Home influence and school influence are closely interlinked in the whole matter of discipline and well-being of young people, as Deputy Higgins knows well.
Things have deteriorated.
The time has now come to deal with questions nominated for priority.