Written Answers. - Educational Bodies/Committees.
Ivor Callely
Question:
128
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for Education
if he will outline (a) the educational bodies/committees appointed under the aegis of his Department and (b) the percentage of parental representation on such bodies/committees; if he will promote further parental involvement at all levels of educational activities, and if he will give details of the way in which he intends to achieve this aim.
The following is the position in the primary and post-primary sectors.
Percentage of Parental Representation
|
Primary School Boards of Management
|
25-33?
|
|
Special Education Review Committee
|
10
|
|
Post-Primary School Boards of Management
|
20-25
|
|
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
|
9
|
|
National Council for Vocational Awards
|
7
|
In addition there is the Registration Council for Secondary Teachers. This is a professional body prescribing regulations for the registration of secondary teachers. Its composition by statute comprises representatives of the universities, school managements, teacher organisations and the Minister for Education.
Local authorities have been encouraged to include parental representation on Vocational Education Committees and the response has been very satisfactory.
Through theProgramme for Economic and Social Progress, formal recognition has been given to the promotion of parental involvement as an essential strategy of education policy and practice. The programme provides for an annual grant to each tier — primary and post-primary — of the National Parents' Council.
In 1991, my Department circularised all schools encouraging those schools which had not already done so to ensure that a parents' association in connection with the school be formed.
I can assure the Deputy that the forthcoming Green Paper on Education will have greater participation by parents in the education of their children as one of its objectives.
Higher Education Sector
The concept of parental representation does not arise in relation to universities as the students themselves are represented on the governing bodies. Also, in the forthcoming RTC and Dublin Institute of Technology Bills provision is being made for student representation on the governing bodies of these institutions.
Provision is also made for student representation on the National Council for Educational Awards.
