Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
428 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has met secondary schools, who operate a seven day boarding with a six day teaching week, who have concerns about the impact of a standardised school year on the needs of their parents; and if he will make arrangements to grant a derogation in this situation. [11865/04]
View answerThe arrangements for the standardisation of breaks at Christmas and Easter and mid-terms were agreed at the teachers' conciliation council. The council comprises representatives of the managerial authorities of schools, the teacher unions and the Departments of Education and Science and Finance. The issue of a derogation for boarding schools which operate a six day teaching week was discussed at the council following representations from those schools. There was no agreement at the council to grant such a derogation.
The purpose of the discussions at the council was to implement a specific requirement in the national agreement Sustaining Progress. Sustaining Progress set the achievement of a standard school year as a requirement for all primary and post-primary schools. In encompassing all schools in both sectors it was designed to bring certainty and clarity on a country wide basis to the arrangements for the vacation periods covered by the agreement. The agreed arrangements achieve that purpose and will have general application. Schools continue to have discretion in relation to the start and end of the school year which are not covered by the Sustaining Progress requirement.
