Vol. 568 No. 1
386 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the redress parents have under the Education Acts whereby a class of first and second class pupils are taught by teachers on job-share, which means that the pupils have one teacher for one week and a different teacher the next week; his views on whether this is best practice in continuity terms for the teaching of pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15885/03]
Boards of management are required to develop a policy on job sharing specific to the needs of the particular school. In doing this, they are required to ensure that the welfare and educational needs of pupils take precedence over all other considerations. In particular, boards must take account of pupils who might be regarded as vulnerable or having special needs. Special consideration is given by boards before approving job-sharing for junior infant classes or special needs pupils.
Teachers entering into a job sharing arrangement are required to prepare a plean oibre which addresses the need for continuity, the need for planning an agreed methodology and an agreed approach to disciplinary matters. It also provides for the use of the combined talents of both teachers as well as assigning responsibility. Boards of management must be satisfied that the plean oibre adequately addresses all of the key issues and must also ensure that the job-sharing teachers agree to frequent out-of-school meetings to discuss their work. Boards of management are required to advise parents of the job sharing arrangement at the earliest opportunity by way of a special meeting.
Job-sharing arrangements by teachers within the same school have been in operation since 1995 and a scheme of inter-school job-sharing was introduced in September, 1999. In addition to facilitating teachers to combine professional and personal life goals, the job-sharing scheme has the excellent advantage of helping to retain teachers of a high calibre in the education system who might otherwise be lost to the teaching force.
387 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the redress parents have under the Education Acts, whereby the principal of a national school deems it necessary to amalgamate a first and second class into one classroom with one teacher rather than amalgamating infant classes where the school is losing a teacher in September 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15886/03]
The principal and board of management have the responsibility of organising classes within their school taking account of the staffing complement. Parents should discuss any issues arising from this with the board of management.
