Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
168. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of prescribed procedures that he has issued under section 28 of the Education Act 2008; and the number of appeals that have been opened and upheld under the remit of the section. [32093/18]
View answerAs to date no procedures have been prescribed under Section 28, it is my intention to replace Section 28 of the Education Act, 1998 and introduce new legislation which will require each school to prepare and publish a Parent and Student Charter. My Department is currently drafting an Education (Parent and Student Charter) Bill in conjunction with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.
When the legislation is enacted, every school will be required to consult with parents and students, and publish a Parent and Student Charter.
The legislation will allow the Minister to set out national guidelines which schools will follow when drawing up their own charter. Each charter will require a school to:
- Invite feedback from students and parents;
- Consult students and parents regularly in relation to school costs and work to avoid costs acting as a barrier to participation;
- Publish a School financial statement which would include information on how any voluntary contributions are used;
- Acknowledge gaps, deficiencies or room for improvement;
- Provide a fair and accessible mechanism for resolving complaints, including through mediation. The use of formal grievance and complaint processes should be a last response, except in the most serious of cases
- Publish the number of complaints made, the reasons for the outcome in each case, and how the outcome was reached by the school.
- Provide better information about School Management, School Policies including on admission and information on extracurricular activities and
- Provide students and parents with information on school performance
