Joint Committee on Education and Skills to examine the use of Reduced Timetables in schools

There are two sessions scheduled, with a number of Stakeholder Groups set to present in each, with a second meeting on a yet to be confirmed date being likely.  The purpose of the meeting is for an engagement with Stakeholders on views they have expressed in advance of the meetings in the form of written submissions.

The stakeholders have been invited to include any views on the following; whether they are aware of reduced timetables being used as a tool to deal with behaviour management; whether the practice of reduced timetables can be positive and used to benefit the student, for example in cases such as manage the behaviour associated with particular disorders, illness and/or pregnancy, and any suggestions or views stakeholders may have on alternative strategies to the use of reduced timetables.

Ahead of the meeting, the Chairman of the Joint Committee, Committee Chairperson Fiona O’Loughlin TD, said: “The Committee is eager examine the topic of Reduced Timetables in schools, and how this may impact students and the school community as a whole.”

Session one will see the following witnesses attend: Pavee Point; Special Needs Parents Association; AsIAm; National Traveller Women’s Forum (NTWF); and Inclusion Ireland.

Session two will see the following witnesses attend: National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD); Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN); National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education (NABMSE) and Joint Managerial Body/Association of Management of Catholic Secondary Schools (JMB/AMCSS).

Committee proceedings can be viewed live here 

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.