Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 May 1998

Vol. 490 No. 7

Written Answers. - Parent-Teacher Meetings.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

33 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education and Science the guidelines, if any, he has issued to schools regarding the use of additional flexibility of teachers' hours under recent pay agreements in order to facilitate parents who have difficulties attending meetings held within school hours. [11107/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

My general policy in relation to parent-teacher meetings is that parents should be facilitated as far as possible. In practice, however, such meetings are held during normal school hours.

To help encourage meetings outside school hours the revised teachers' PCW proposals provide that in respect of one student review meeting with parents per term, post-primary schools may make provision to allocate from normal school time a period equivalent to the time given outside school. Primary schools may make similar provision in a manner appropriate to that sector. As part of the PCW implementation process a circular covering this matter is being prepared and will issue to schools shortly. I will also be encouraging co-operation and consultation between schools and parents on this issue.