Schools Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019

Tuesday, 23 July 2019

Ceisteanna (440)

John Curran

Ceist:

440. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to a review of the school hours for children of junior and senior infants in all primary national schools that finish an hour earlier than the rest of the classes in the school, in view of the inconvenience of same for parents, after-school services and crèches with regard to transport; if a longer lunch break with more physical activity and-or music tuition will be allowed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32020/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Under the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school.

Circular 11/95 “Time in School” paragraph 3 states that a typical school day for Junior classes is 4 hours and 40 minutes and Senior classes 5 hours and 40 minutes with appropriate recreation i.e. 30 minutes.

Under the Rules for National Schools, forenoon and afternoon breaks of five minutes each are allowed. Where a recreation interval or break of a longer duration than the foregoing are taken the length of the school day must be extended correspondingly.

Children in infant classes may have a school day that is one hour shorter than the length of the normal school day. This is a concession in the interests of young children and allows for a perceived inability on their part to sustain the work of the full day. The decision to apply this concession rests with the Board of Management.