Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 December 2017
203. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the guidance his Department gives to schools regarding uniform and bathroom policies for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51832/17]
View answerIn relation to school uniforms, earlier this year, I published Circular letter 32/2017 ‘Measures to be adopted by schools to reduce the cost of school uniforms and other costs’. I want to give parents a strong voice in ensuring costs are always kept to a minimum.
Schools have to do everything possible to keep costs down for parents, including the use of generic items, sew on or iron on crests, and making sure that various elements of the uniform can be purchased in multiple stores.
Following the implementation of the circular, school authorities will be required to adopt the following principles of cost-effective practice which will put a greater emphasis on reducing the cost of school uniforms and other costs:
- All elements of a school uniform should be purchasable from various stores;
- Only iron on or sew on crests should be used;
- Wherever possible, generic rather than branded items should be specified (e.g. uniform, clothing, IT tablets, sports equipment etc.);
- Provide parents with a list of all required items and indicate the likely costs of these required items at best value stores;
- Provide a book rental scheme;
- Phase out, between now and September 2018, the use of workbooks which cannot be reused;
- Where an exclusive supply arrangement applies, it should be tendered for regularly and
- The Board of Management in each school will have to review the cost of items which they require parents to purchase and to make this information available to the school community.
Schools will consult with parents on their views and ask for suggestions on cost reduction initiatives. Parents will be asked for their views about school uniform costs, and other costs, through a questionnaire.
I will further underpin this keen cost approach in schools through legislation to introduce a Parent and Student Charter in every school.
In relation to bathroom policies, my Department has not issued specific guidelines regarding the usage of toilets in schools. Such matters are dealt with at local school level.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school. Schools are required to take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of pupils and welfare of their pupils and it is the responsibility of each individual managerial authority to arrange for appropriate supervision of its pupils.
In accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989, it is the responsibility of individual school management authorities to have a safety statement in place in their schools. The Statement should identify potential hazards, assess the risks to health and safety and put appropriate provision in place to safeguard the safety and health of employees and pupils.
The Health and Safety Authority in conjunction with the Kilkenny Education Centre issued guidance to all primary schools in relation to managing safety, health and welfare. I have included a shortcut to this booklet for your information.
http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Education/Managing_Safety_and_Health_in_Schools/Primary_Schools_Guidelines/Guidelines_on_Managing_Safety_Health_and_Welfare_in_Primary_Schools.pdf
