Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 4

Written Answers. - Teacher Absences.

Richard Bruton

Question:

84 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the concern of school principals that huge numbers of pupil contact hours are being lost; and the plans, if any, he has to tackle this issue. [8705/00]

Jim Mitchell

Question:

125 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans he has to develop new policies to assist with the problem in schools of teacher absence on in-service training or on examination supervision work. [11838/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 125 together.

Conscious of the difficulties experienced by schools during the oral and practical examinations, earlier this year my Department established a working group representative of the partners in education , including school principals, to review current arrangements and to make recommendations for a new structure that would address the problems of the current system.

I understand that the working group has begun its work by considering the merits of various pro posals advanced in submissions from the partners in relation to the examinations but that it is too early in the process yet to predict what the group may ultimately propose.

The group at its initial meeting also identified how teacher absence due to in-career development creates difficulties for schools.

The working group is giving priority to the difficulties caused by the current examinations model and will try to seek a consensus among the partners on the best way forward.

I look forward to receiving the findings of the working group in due course.