Vol. 393 No. 1
asked the Minister for Education if she will give the terms of reference and duties of holders of each category of posts of responsibility in (a) primary and (b) secondary, community and comprehensive schools; and the number of holders of such posts.
343.
asked the Minister for Education the criteria for the allocation of posts of responsibility in second level schools; and if seniority is a major factor.
353.
asked the Minister for Education the duties and responsibilities of vice-principals in secondary schools; and the mechanisms for ensuring that these are fulfilled.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 261, 343 and 353 together.
The terms of reference and duties of holders of each category of post of responsibility in secondary, community and comprehensive schools are, (a) in the case of secondary schools, the subject of an agreement between the ASTI and the JMB, and (b) in the case of community and comprehensive schools, prescribed by individual boards of management, following local agreement with the relevant teaching unions.
My Department are a party to the arrangements made only in so far as it undertakes to pay the appropriate allowances to the designated post-holders as warranted by the points rating of each school. The question of ensuring that the duties assigned are fulfilled is one for the management authorities of the school. The main criteria for the appointment of eligible teachers to posts of responsibility are suitability and capability. Seniority is also an important factor.
The number of holders of posts of responsibility allowances in each category in secondary, community and comprehensive schools, as available to my Department from the most recent statistical data (January 1989) is given in the table below:
|
Secondary |
Community and Comprehensive |
|
|
Principal |
495 |
65 |
|
Vice Principal |
491 |
67 |
|
A Post |
1,751 |
364 |
|
B Post |
3,532 |
692 |
The duties and responsibilities associated with posts of responsibility in national schools are set out in Circular 16/73, a copy of which is being forwarded to the Deputy. This circular issued to management authorities and teachers in May 1973.
The most recent date for which the information requested by the Deputy is available, as far as national schools are concerned, is June 1989, and the figures for that date are set out in the following table.
|
Type |
Teachers in Receipt of Principal Allowance |
Teachers in Receipt of Vice-Principal Allowance |
Teachers in Receipt of Grade A Allowance |
Teachers in Receipt of Grade B Allowance |
|
National Schools |
3,822 |
1,985 |
346 |
1,864 |
