Vol. 556 No. 4
156 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that parents of pupils at Maynooth post-primary school, Maynooth, County Kildare, are required to pay an annual registration fee of ?50 per pupil; if he approves of this practice; if not, the action he proposes to take to stop the practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20756/02]
157 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it is the policy of Kildare VEC on partnership and parents that, while a parent has a right to consult the principal and teachers, the final decision on a pupil's academic ability and teaching remains with the teachers and principal involved; his views on whether this policy is in direct conflict with the grievance procedure and the functions of the inspectorate as detailed in the Education Act, 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20757/02]
158 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether it is serious neglect by Maynooth post-primary school and County Kildare VEC not to include computer training for pupils on the curriculum, even though it is not a points subject, considering the potential employers in the area, such as two companies (details supplied); and his further views on whether he should make computer training compulsory, in view of the hi-tech industries here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20758/02]
159 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether examining in Irish, English and maths and benchmarking children into an all-pass or all-honours class on entry to second level is acceptable and if the requirement that a child must be top of the class at Christmas tests is an acceptable criterion to prevent children from pursuing some higher level subjects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20759/02]
160 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if every recognised school must comply fully with the Education Act, 1998; if their boards of management should be set up according to new legislation; if the use of the term "board of management" as used by Maynooth post primary school, is misleading to parents who assume it is a board of management set up under the Education Act, 1998; if this board of management should be called a sub-committee of Kildare VEC so that parents know they do not have a board as required by the Education Act, 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20760/02]
161 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that pupils at Maynooth post-primary school, Maynooth, County Kildare, are required to carry out cleaning duties, which include the emptying of bins and the use of electrical cleaning equipment on a rota basis and that teachers are obliged to enforce this cleaning roster, as set out on page five of the school plan; his views on this practice; if he is satisfied there is no health and safety risk to the pupils involved in this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20761/02]
162 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the terms of the Maynooth post-primary School Plan, page 11, whereby parents are required to sign a contract before their children can enter the school; if he approves of this contract system; and if he is satisfied as to the specific terms of the contract. [20762/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 to 162, inclusive, together.
The Deputy's series of questions relate to issues, many of which fall within the management role of County Kildare Vocational Education Committee. I have asked officials in my Department to liaise with that committee with a view to providing a comprehensive reply to the issues raised.
