Helen Keogh
Question:13 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Education her views on whether all schools with over 500 pupils should have two vice-principals.
Written Answers. - Role of Vice-Principals.
Peadar Clohessy
Question:60 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Education her views on whether all schools should have a vice-principal with reduced teaching hours in view of the fact that schools are complex organisations which can no longer rely on the unpaid support of religious communities to manage and maintain millions of pounds worth of plant and equipment.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 60 together. I do accept that schools, particularly the larger schools, are complex organisations which require careful management if they are to be run effectively and efficiently.
The principal has a pivotal role in this but she or he requires the support and assistance of the vice-principal and other holders of posts of responsibility within the school if she or he is to fulfil this role.
My Department recognises the role played by vice-principals in the running of post-primary schools. The Programme for Economic and Social Progress provides for the recognition, on an ex-quota basis, of the vice-principal post in schools of 500 or more pupils to be implemented on a phased basis commencing in 1992-93. To date two thirds of the schools concerned have benefited from this provision and the remainder will qualify for the allocation next year.
Provision is made at present for the reduction in the teaching hours of vice-principals to enable them to devote time to management and administrative duties in the school. The reduction in hours varies depending on the size of the school.
It is to be expected that the larger the school the greater the administrative input required. However, this does not necessarily mean that extra vice-principal posts have to be created. Holders of posts of responsibility should be involved also.
The larger schools have greater numbers of post-holders and it is open to the authorities of the school concerned to allocate specific duties to post-holders to ensure the smooth and efficient running of their schools. There is an ongoing debate about the selection, appointment and training of teachers for posts of responsibility including principal and vice-principal. These matters were discussed at the recent National Education Convention.
The question of allocating additional vice-principal posts to schools has to be considered in the context of the competing demands for the resources available for education generally.