Parent Teacher Meetings.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 March 2004

Tuesday, 30 March 2004

Ceisteanna (214, 215)

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

328 Ms Harkin asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in relation to Circular M34/03 to managerial authorities in second level schools (details supplied), schools are required to hold a student review meeting in the third term; if, in schools in which all student review meetings were held during the same term, they were required to hold only one on the basis of their being half within and half without normal school time; if schools are required to hold three student review meetings on a half in and half out of school time basis in 2003-04; and if, when a school has held three such meetings, one in the first term and two in the second term, they have fulfilled their obligations in accordance with the terms of CL/M/34/03. [10123/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The agreement reached under Sustaining Progress in relation to parent teacher meetings for the 2003-04 school year provided that in respect of one student review meeting per term post-primary schools will make provision to allocate from normal school time a period equivalent to the time given outside school. These arrangements were set out in circular letter M34/03.

The arrangements for the holding of such meetings are a matter for school management authorities and have regard to best practice and the terms of the circular letter. The normal arrangements are that one such meeting would be held in the first and second terms where the benefit of such meetings is maximised for both parents and students. There is no requirement to hold a parent teacher meeting in the third term where no such meeting is required.

Agreement has now been reached on extending these arrangements with effect from the 2004-05 school year. This agreement provides that in respect of three formal parent teacher meetings per year such meetings will commence at 4.15 p.m. in all schools and will conclude at 6.45 p.m. In accordance with good practice, parents who are waiting will be seen if this can reasonably be done. In the small number of cases where a parent is unable to attend the formal meeting, current practice whereby the parent is facilitated to meet a teacher he or she wishes to meet will apply and a mutually convenient time will be agreed. I am happy that these new arrangements will provide improved access for parents and will preserve tuition time for students.

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

329 Ms Harkin asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of post-primary schools which answered affirmatively to the question in section 2 (details supplied) in the declaration form attaching to Circular M5/04; the number of post-primary schools which answered negatively to the question; and the number of post-primary schools which did not respond to the question. [10124/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The information sought by the Deputy will be compiled by my Department and forwarded directly to her.