Vol. 547 No. 1
1199 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science his proposals to amend the Education Act, 1998, to provide for the legal right of students to sit on boards of management of second level schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1675/02]
Section 14 of the Education Act, 1998, provides for the establishment of boards of management at both primary and second level for the purposes of ensuring that a school is managed in a spirit of partnership. The Act provides that the composition of boards of management shall be agreed at a national level between patrons, parents associations, school management organisations, teacher unions and the Minister for Education and Science.
While the legislation does not preclude the possibility of student representation on boards of management, I am of the view that partnership with the student body in the management and operation of schools can best be achieved through the development of student councils. Section 27 of the Education Act makes provision for the establishment of student councils in post primary schools with the aim of promoting student involvement in the affairs of the school in co-operation with the board of management, parents and teachers.
1200 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science his proposals to amend the Education Act, 1998, to provide for a national body of locally elected student representatives from the second level section (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1676/02]
The Education Act, 1998, provides for the establishment of student councils in second level schools as means of giving students a voice in the operation and life of their school. While the Act does not specifically provide for the establishment of a national body of student representatives, the terms of the Act do not preclude the establishment of such a body and I do not believe that an amendment as suggested is required. During the course of last year a new body, the Union of Secondary Students, was established to represent and articulate the views of second level students at national level.
I consider it most important for students to have the opportunity to express their views on matters of concern to them, be that at school or national level, and the establishment of the Union of Secondary Students is a welcome initiative. I recently met with representatives of the union to listen to and discuss their concerns and I have asked my Department to consider appropriate means for providing practical support and assistance to this new body.
