Vol. 307 No. 1
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the existence of grave disquiet among parents of children at the doubling up of classes or unsupervised classes in national schools, where the teacher concerned is legitimately absent on leave, in line with Rule 58 of the Rules for National Schools; and the steps he will take to allay such disquiet.
176.
asked the Minister for Education if he will ensure, by providing funds to pay for the temporary employment of substitute teachers, that the classes taught by teachers in national schools, who are entitled to leave under Rule 58 of the Rules for National Schools, are adequately looked after during their teachers' absence.
: With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 176 together.
The position is that the grant of an extra period of vacation to teachers who are entitled to such extra vacation by reason of having attended a course or courses approved by my Department is under Rule 58 of the Rules for National Schools subject to the approval of the board of management of the school in each case.
Rule 58 provides that where all the teachers recognised in a school are entitled to such extra vacation the school may be closed, subject to its being in operation for the minimum number of days prescribed (184) in the school year (Rule 59).
Where only a number of the teachers recognised in a school are entitled to extra vacation, under Rule 58, it is a matter for the school board of management to ensure that the absence from school of those teachers is so arranged as to cause as little disruption as possible to classes in the school.
The recoupment of the cost of employing substitute teachers in such circumstances is not contemplated.
177.
asked the Minister for Education if he will state in respect of the school year 1977-78, the number of extra days' leave which were allocated to national teachers under Rule 58 of the Rules for National Schools.
: The number of days in question is approximately 20,000.
