asked the Minister for Education and Science if in-service days can be set at the commencement of each year to allow parents plan in advance; if a protocol is set down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6002/03]
Written Answers - Inservice Training.
133.
There are 3,300 primary schools, each one allowed six days during the current school year in order to facilitate in-service training for teachers in respect of the revised primary curriculum. Under the school development planning initiative all schools have the option of a further day. Due to the scale of the in-service programme it is not possible to reach agreement on in-service days with all schools prior to the commencement of the school year. The training is, however, organised so as to cause as little disruption as possible to the school. Each school is given approximately six weeks notice in relation to closure to allow schools and families make appropriate arrangements. At post-primary it is not necessary to close the school for the purpose of providing in-service training. This is because it is organised on a subject-specific basis.