Vol. 488 No. 4
325 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to make available the means to provide supervision of pupils, time for management duties, substantial increases in capitation grants and secretarial and caretaking resources and a lower pupil-teacher ratio in voluntary secondary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6496/98]
As part of the PCW agreement, teachers were asked to accept that ongoing change and non-teaching activities form part of the professional duties of a teacher and, in addition, that in so far as is practicable, these duties, will not serve to reduce the normal arrangements for class teaching time at present applying.
The arrangements for the involvement of the school staff in the performance of the non-teaching professional duties are best made through provision in the overall programme of the school. The incorporation of the arrangements in an overall school programme will provide the opportunity for fairness and equity both for the school and the individual teacher.
In the course of the PCW discussions, management and union representatives stressed that the development of an effective in-school management system requires, as an essential element, the allocation of time for the performance of duties.
The Department of Education and Science accepted that the development of an effective in-school management system could require the allocation of time for duties. On that basis it was proposed that in regard to assistant principals, where possible, schools may allocate time for the performance of duties from existing resources.
The situation will be reviewed one year after its implementation and difficulties identified will be addressed.
The pupil teacher ratio at second level has improved significantly in recent years due to the allocation of additional ex-quota and concessionary posts and the application of a reduced ratio in respect of a range of new programmes which have been introduced in second level schools.
327 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is his intention to honour the commitment in the white paper on education to treat all schools equally in relation to grant aid. [6504/98]
The matter of equity of funding between the various sectors at second level is currently being examined by a technical working group on funding which comprises a number of technical experts. Under its terms of reference, the group will draw up a recommended funding framework designed to ensure equal treatment for different schools within the second level sector while taking account of the needs of these different schools.
The report of the technical working group, which will be published, will be submitted to a steering group, the members of which have been nominated by relevant second level interests. This steering group, having considered the report, will then submit final recommendations to me. These recommendations will also be published.
I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to an equitable and fair funding regime for schools and will endeavour to prioritise expenditure so as to eliminate any anomalies identified in the present funding system. The reports of the funding groups will be central to my consideration of the issues involved.
