Last February the Government announced the introduction, over the period of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, of the most significant package of supports ever to assist primary school principals. Significant progress has been made in the implementation of these measures to date.
Administrative principals were previously appointed to primary schools with eight or more mainstream class teachers. With effect from 1 September this year, administrative principals are appointed to all schools with seven mainstream class teachers. I have also introduced for the 2000-01 school year an arrangement whereby principals in schools with a principal plus 11 or more teachers, including ex-quota posts, may be appointed as an administrative principal.
The introduction of release time for principals in primary schools with six or fewer mainstream class teachers in the 2000-01 and subsequent school years is of major significance to school authorities and principals. The release time enables the teaching principal to be released for a specified number of days annually to undertake administrative, leadership and management functions in the school. Substitution cover is paid by my Department in respect of these release days.
In recognition of the need to improve the funding of secretaries and caretakers, the funding allocated by means of additional per capita grants to schools, which was approximately £5.6 million in 1999, has been increased this year to approximately £12.5 million and will be further increased in 2001 to approximately £16.8 million. These improvements mean that since last September all primary schools receive an annual grant to assist them with the provision of secretarial and caretaking services. The introduction of these measures has also made a major contribution to assisting schools and principals.