Vol. 509 No. 5
159 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many parents are concerned at the proposal for in-service training for teachers resulting in extra child care costs falling on parents; the plans, if any, he has to reimburse parents for these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am aware that scheduling of six days for in-career development programmes and school-based planning associated with the imple mentation of the revised primary school curriculum in the current school year will require parents to make alternative arrangements for childcare. I believe that this is a necessary step in the interests of improving the quality of educational provision for all pupils at primary level.
The launch of the revised primary school curriculum marks a very significant event in Irish education. Curriculum change of the scale envisaged requires that schools and teachers review current practice with a view to change and development. This requires a sustained programme of in-career development and planning at school level.
Planning for the implementation of the revised primary school curriculum has taken place in consultation with the education partners, including parent representative organisations, who are members of an implementation group. A factor in the deliberations of this group was the length and nature of the in-career development programmes required, as well as the implications of such programmes for the closure of schools. In this context, the importance of giving timely notice to parents in regard to in-career development days has been emphasised to boards of management. I am satisfied that the arrangements now in place are required if the revised curriculum is to be implemented in schools.
