asked the Minister for Education the duration, content and purpose of special in-service training designed for principal teachers in schools; if such training is mandatory prior to or shortly after appointment; and the proportion of currently serving school principals who have received specialised in-service training specifically concerned with their responsibilities as principal.
Written Answers. - In-service Training.
140.
My Department organise summer in-service courses and one day courses during school term designed for principal teachers in primary schools. The duration of the summer in-service courses is one week each year over two years, that is, a two week course.
The purpose of these courses is to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes which principals need to carry out their duties more effectively. The content of the courses cover five main areas, namely, leadership, management, assessment, planning and curriculum topics. This training is not mandatory.
The summer in-service courses for principals are of recent origin and the proportion of principals who would have attended to date would be small. I would point out, however, that the one day in-service courses are organised at district level and all principals are invited to these.
Post-primary in-service training for principal teachers, provided by my Department within the limits of available finance, is currently provided in two formats: (a) a four-day course, in two phases, for newly-appointed principals, the first phase being taken before, and the second phase a few months after taking up duty; and (b) thematic short courses of one or two days' duration.
All aspects of the work pertaining to the post of principal are covered in the new principals' course. The short courses are usually single-topic courses and those provided to date have covered a wide range of themes and drawn on expertise from Ireland and abroad.
The purpose of such courses is to enhance the personal ability of the participants to carry out their functions efficiently, effectively and economically. Special attention is given to the careful management of finances and resource utilisation. The courses also serve as a vehicle whereby principals get to know one another, establish vital links and share experiences. In-service courses are not mandatory.
In excess of 200 have attended new principals' courses in recent years and several hundreds have attended the thematic courses. Data on the protection of serving principal teachers who have attended such courses are not readily available in my Department.