Vol. 535 No. 2
51 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the establishment of a commission on teaching; the areas which he believes should be included; the timescale proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12328/01]
The recent Labour Court recommendation and subsequent clarification proposed that a forum be put in place to conduct an expert review of education. The Deputy and I discussed this in the House some time ago. At the root of this recommendation was the considered view of the court that in the context of the changed and still rapidly changing educational environment, there is a need for a fundamental examination of all aspects of learning and teaching. The expert review group will involve the partners in education and will have terms of reference covering a wide range of issues, including legal and management structures, developments in education and teaching, the role of the teacher, teacher training and accreditation and support systems for schools and teachers.
As the Deputy is aware, I have promised such a group or commission. I am currently developing proposals on the establishment of the commission and will consult the education partners on its composition over the coming weeks. It is my intention that the commission will be established as soon as possible. It will chart the future course of education in Ireland for the next generation.
Does the Minister accept that irrespective of pay issues, there is an educational need for the establishment of a commission? When I asked him about this in the House three or four months ago he indicated his intention to establish a commission. In this regard he envisaged a timescale of approximately one month. Given the underlying problems affecting the education system, especially at management and principal level, the commission is long overdue.
A question for the Minister.
Will the Minister indicate the timescale he has in mind for the establishment of the commission and what lifetime does he envisage for it?
The Deputy will appreciate – I indicated this last February – that I could not pre-empt what was happening in the discussions to which I have referred. That is why I had to delay and allow them to proceed. However, I was formulating views along the lines we discussed then.
The Government accepted the Labour Court recommendation which endorsed the establishment of a commission. The commission will be especially involved in issues other than salary, including the broader issues in education and learning where tremendous change is taking place. Deputies Shortall, Creed and I expressed the need to consider the future of education. The last such examination was before the mid-1960s and so much has happened in the interim it is very important to re-examine this area. Many issues can be examined, including the legal and management structures, developments in education and teaching, the role of the teacher, teacher training and accreditation and support systems for schools and teachers. The ASTI is balloting on the Labour Court recommendation and its subsequent clarification.
Does the Minister agree that regardless of the outcome of the ASTI ballot, he and the Department should proceed with the immediate establishment of the commission?
A brief final supplementary question from Deputy Shortall.
I ask the Minister to confirm today that the establishment of the commission is not contingent on ASTI's acceptance of the Labour Court recommendations. I would like a clear answer on that from the Minister.
In deference to the Labour Court and the ASTI members' vote, I do not wish to say too much at present. I assure the Deputy that I am anxious to proceed with the commission.
Irrespective of the outcome of the ballot?
It is not contingent on that.
