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Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020

Wednesday, 27 May 2020

Questions (126, 141)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

126. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will publish the guidelines previously mentioned to protect teachers and school staff from lobbying and canvassing on behalf of particular students; if he has considered appropriate sanctions for such transgressions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7170/20]

View answer

Thomas Byrne

Question:

141. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the powers available to his Department to protect teachers from canvassing without primary legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7191/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 141 together.

I published detailed guidance for schools on calculated grades on 21 May. The document sets out information on the process of estimating marks for students to receive calculated grades, and has been sent to all schools. The guidance contains specific advice on student-teacher contact and fairness in the calculated grades model.

At the core of both the school-based and national standardisation phases of the system of calculated grades is a commitment to objectivity and fairness. To ensure this, the school-based process must not be compromised.

Therefore, the principal, deputy principal(s), teachers or other members of the school staff must follow the Department’s specific procedures and must not under any circumstances discuss with or disclose to any student or parents or guardians of any student the estimated marks that the school is submitting. Conversely, students and parents or guardians must not contact a teacher or other member of staff to discuss the estimated marks.

Where an attempt to contact of engage in discussion persists the teacher must report this to the school principal, and provide a write record of the contact. The record will be maintained by the principal until the conclusion of any potential review or appeal process associated with the student’s calculated grades. The principal must notify the Department that the school has a record of contact. The Department will request written affirmation from the principal that all procedures at school level were followed despite the alleged contact before the student’s marks and ranking can be processed.

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