Vol. 554 No. 5
717 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the high number of free classes or stand-in teachers for secondary school children; if there are agreed norms or expectations in this regard; the complaint system available to parents who feel the number of free classes is excessive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16968/02]
Details of the number of free classes in individual schools are not available in my Department. Schools' authorities are authorised to appoint substitute teachers to replace teachers who are on approved absence, for example, due to illness, on school business etc. In the circumstances, subject to the availability of substitute teachers on a given day, the number of free classes arising from the absence of teachers should be minimal.
Secondary schools are privately owned and managed institutions. Complaints such as those outlined should, in the first instance, be addressed by the parents to the principal of the school concerned. If they are unhappy with the response from the principal, the parents may contact the board of management in the matter.
In exceptional cases, where issues remain unresolved and all local avenues of appeal have been exhausted, my Department may, on receipt of written authorisation from the parents, refer a complaint which it has received to the management authority of the school concerned for its observations. Following consideration of the school's response, the case may be referred to my Department's inspectorate for the purpose of making local inquiries. The outcome of my Department's investigations, when complete, is communicated to the parents.
