Vol. 430 No. 3
26 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Education if all interviewing boards for the appointment and promotion of teachers include a female member; if she intends to insist on training for all persons involved in interview boards; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
It is policy of my Department that, where possible, both sexes should be represented on selection boards for teaching posts. I am particularly anxious that there be gender balance on school staff selection committees as well as on Boards of Management themselves.
At primary level the guidelines governing the appointment of primary teachers specify that at least one of the members of the selection board shall be a woman and at least one a man.
No formal notification has been issued by my Department to the authorities of post-primary schools but I understand that the various managerial bodies have advised their members of the desirability of representation of both sexes on selection boards.
