Vol. 534 No. 3
302 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will consider strengthen ing the role of resource teachers for Traveller children in the post-primary sector by providing appropriate training, redefining their status as permanent ex-quota and by clarifying the function of the visiting teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10551/01]
324 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science his policy in the provision of a comprehensive inservice training for second level teachers who have to deliver full-time education to Traveller children, in view of their special needs, recognising their culture and conscious of the possibility of prejudice, discrimination and racism within the education system. [10800/01]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 302 and 324 together.
My Department allocates additional teaching resources to second level schools to cater for the needs of Traveller children enrolled in them. The additional allocation is generally of the order of 1.5 hours per pupil per week.
The authorities of second level schools must take a number of factors into account when deciding on the number of teachers who may be employed in a permanent capacity in a particular school year. These factors include the approved initial teacher allocation for the school for that year, the number of permanent teachers on approved leave, the overall limits as to level of permanency laid down by my Department from time to time and the need for flexibility to cater for the needs of all pupils attending the school. The assignment of teachers to individual classes within the overall approved allocation is a matter for the authorities of the school concerned.
My Department provides ongoing in-career development programmes for second level teachers working with traveller pupils. The national education officer for Travellers advises my Department of the needs in this area.
The national education officer has also established a professional focus group from among the visiting teachers' service to examine intercultural issues and anti-racism in an educational context. The work of this group will inform the design and delivery of inservice to the teachers concerned, including teachers of travellers in particular.
Also, new guidelines for traveller education have been produced for all second level teachers and in particular for those working with traveller pupils. The guidelines will strengthen the role of the resource teacher for travellers and provide the opportunity to share expertise, develop best practice and promote an intercultural approach. The guidelines include a section on intercultural training and its application in schools. The intention is to issue the guidelines early in the next school year.
