Paul Murphy
Ceist:81. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will report on the additional resources being provided to support teaching principals in the context of the Covid-19 crisis. [29978/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 14 October 2020
Ceisteanna (81)
Freagraí scríofa
I am keenly aware of the huge contribution made by Teaching Principals, most particularly in this academic year when Covid-19 has placed an additional strain on Principals and our schools.
The Roadmap for the Full Return to School provides for comprehensive supports across a range of areas to allow for the safe reopening of schools.
€10.2m has been allocated to support Principals and Deputy Principals who also undertake teaching duties in primary schools. This funding will provide each teaching principal with one release day per week, and release days for Deputy Principals in those schools that have an existing administrative principal. Details on these arrangements are set out in Circular 45/2020, Operational Supports for Primary Schools for the Full Return to School.
My Department has published a suite of helpful guidance for the safe and sustainable reopening of schools. Each school is required to have a COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe operation through the prevention, early detection and control of COVID-19 in line with public health advice. This guidance is focused on the practical steps schools must take to minimise the risk of transmission of infection. If a school is experiencing difficulties in implementing these measures they should contact the Department's helpline for assistance.
Primary schools are currently provided with class teachers on the basis of one teacher for every 26 pupils which is at its historically lowest level. I was delighted to build further on this progress by announcing a further 1 point reduction in yesterday’s budget.
The staffing schedule for the next academic year (2021/22) now stands at 1 teacher for every 25 pupils. This measure will help ensure better teacher retention in primary schools while also ensure that less pupils are required to retain or recruit a teacher.