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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Apr 1994

Vol. 441 No. 5

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Parents' Role in Education.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

19 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education her views on the role of parents in education; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

As the primary educators, parents have a critical role to play in their children's education. This is underpinned by the provisions of Article 42.1 of the Constitution. The parents' critical role is reflected on the Programme for Competitiveness and Work. Paragraph 6.45 of the Programme provides that a central concern of the reform of the education system will be the constitutional prerogatives of parents in relation to the education of their children. The Programme for Competitiveness and Work also provides that support for parents in relation to the education of their children. The Programme for Competitiveness and Work also provides that support for parent's participation at primary and post-primary levels of the education system will be continued through funding of the National Parents Council's parent development programmes and dissemination of information.

The measures already taken or encouraged by my Department to enhance the role of parents in their children's education include: — the setting up of the National Parents' Council to facilitate participation by parents in consultations with Government about the development of educational policies and the payment of an annual grant towards the expenses of the council; representation of parents on the boards of management of schools; the establishment of parents' associations in schools; the development of home / school / community liaison schemes; the provision of programmes aimed at facilitating parents' participation and involvement in their children's educational development; representation of parents on the senior cycle re-structuring external monitoring committee; involvement of parents in the National Education Convention; the grant payable to each of the two tiers of the National Parents Council — primary and post-primary — have been increased from £25,000 to £30,000 this year.

A number of further initiatives in relation to parental involvement are proposed in the context of the reform of the education system, viz., the inclusion of a formal home/school liaison policy in each school's plan; close consultation with parents in the development of each school's behaviour and discipline policies; regular formal meetings between parents and school management and the establishment by boards of management of procedures through which individual parents can receive full information from schools on all aspects of their children's progress.

The position paper on regional education councils which I issued recently proposed that parents be represented on such councils. The position of parents must also be recognised in regard to representation on the boards of management of schools.

Would the Minister agree that recent controversies suggest that she is either trampling on the rights of parents or, at least, is giving the impression that she is prepared to do so? Does she accept that parents are the natural and primary educators of their children? In that context does she also accept that under the Constitution the State must respect the lawful preference of parents about the type of schools to which their children are sent and, furthermore, that in the provision of educational institutions the State must have due regard to the rights of parents? Taking into account these constitutional requirements, does she agree that her recent decisions seem to suggest that she is prepared — to put it bluntly — arrogantly to abrogate those rights of parents?

I have already spelt out the specific role I have allowed parents to play in the discussion of decisions made. The final decisions rest with the Minister and are made only after she has consulted the different interests involved in each of the groups.

Would the Minister agree that even in the terminology she uses, e.g. her reference to the role that she "has allowed parents to play ... in decisions," indicates an approach that does not accept parents as the primary educators of their children? Is it not the reverse — that parents allow Ministers and others to take steps on their behalf and that it is not for the Minister under the Constitution, to be "allowing" parents that role? Second, would the Minister agree that her recent decision in the case of Dunboyne displays an absolute disregard for the rights of parents in the matter of choice of school for their children? How can she square that with the position under the Constitution?

The Department of Education and the Minister have an obligation to make education available to parents for their children. However, we do not have a responsibility to meet the individual wishes of each parent as to the kind of education in which they wish their child to participate. Our obligation is to ensure that education is available.

As I indicated in my reply, the Department of Education, in recent years has increased the voice of parents in the schools, beginning with the boards of management, the formation of parents' associations and the establishment of proper links between parents, boards of management and the teachers and by making funding available to the National Parents Councils at primary and post-primary levels thereby ensuring that parents have a viable body to act on their behalf.

The Minister makes decisions on the kind of education that is made available. Different groups of parents have different viewpoints. There is not always the united voice. The Minister's decision is taken in the light of all the information available to ensure that the moneys invested will be available, and transparently so, to the community generally and not to sectional interests only.

I have given parents a role and a voice at the National Education Convention, in particular, and I hope to be able to continue to do so.

I am anxious to facilitate those Deputies who have tabled questions but I can only do so if Members will be brief and co-operate.

In reaching decisions should the Minister not recognise the views of the community generally? The matter to be debated later this evening is a case in point? I was very concerned about the terminology the Minister has used. In saying that she has "allowed" parents to play a role she is sending out the wrong signals. There has been controversy about certain decisions that have been made and in that context I do not think it is good enough to look in that light on the role of parents. Perhaps it was a lapse on the Ministers part, but was it appropriate language?

I will certainly withdraw the word "allow" if it in any way seems to diminish the role parents are playing, a role which I have publicly acknowledged particularly since the National Education Convention. When I address public meetings and talk about the partners in education I am recognising the voice of parents. Many of us were at school at a time when parents stayed outside the school gate but I hope that people will remember my time in the Department of Education as the Minister who opened the school gate. If my use of words suggested any diminution of the role of parents as partners in education, that was not intended. I used the phrase in question with a generosity of spirit to invite parents to play their role.

The debate later this evening should prove interesting. I have given parents a role within the schools on the parents' associations and with their representation on the boards of management. One will find that within any group, whether managerial or teachers, there can be differences of opinion. When making a decision I have to satisfy myself that I have taken note of what people have said. I have to make sure that I am conscious of the needs of the community and that the investment of public moneys will be of long term benefit to the community. If I can satisfy myself that I have listened to all the voices, I am confident that the decisions I have taken have been taken in the best interest of the community.

I am pleased that the Minister has unreservedly withdrawn the most unfortunate phrase in question. The major point at issue is whether having given parents a role she listens to what they have to say and accepts the decision of the majority. Later we will be debating the issue of Dunboyne, where the case is very much the opposite. The Minister refers to minority opinions that may not surface but how does she assess these opinions and what type of meetings or communications are set up to access what parents want? Having ascertained the various opinions, is it the minority or the majority view that is taken on board?

I listen to all the views made available to me and I then have to make a decision. I have to be confident when making a decision I am acting in a way that is in the best interests of the community. I am confident as to the decisions I have made. Since my appointment all the information I have sought, whether in relation to building or some other projects, has been made available to me thereby enabling me to reach what I consider the best possible decisions.

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