Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses and apologise for coming and going during the meeting but I had to attend other meetings also. I again thank them for their submissions, in particular Ms Nihill's which I found very interesting. As a former teacher, I agree with much of what she had to say. I was a secondary school teacher for many years and taught for half my career in the vocational sector and the other in the voluntary sector. As such, I have a well rounded knowledge of both sectors.

Deputy Ó Ríordáin spoke about leadership courses for people re-engaging in teacher training. When I did the H.Dip I had the option of training in school administration with a view to becoming a school leader. While that was many years ago, it was a very valuable course. What I learned has been of great assistance to me throughout my career. I am sure that course has evolved since I was at college.

In regard to the special duties posts, I agree that within the voluntary sector these posts are allocated on a seniority basis. However, this is not the case in the vocational sector, as it was. I was teaching in a school for a year before being given a special duties post. If it is not happening in the vocational sector, it should not be happening in the voluntary sector.

I stand to be corrected but I believed this is something that had been changed by the Department in recent years. Could that be clarified? It is very important that merit should be taken into account rather than just length of service.

There is the issue of inspection findings on boards of management at post-primary level, particularly the overall quality. It was indicated that there was 89% satisfaction but what steps were taken to improve the remaining 11%? What supports were put in place to try to improve the position? We sometimes fall down when we provide reports and argue that 90% satisfaction is great but we must consider the remaining issues.

I agree that the role of the principal in a school must be that of leader with interpersonal skills. We may see cracks when principals do not have such skills. There was mention of a problem when a role is not just that of principal or teacher, but when it involves fixing computers, etc. Every schoolteacher goes through this on a daily basis, as teachers have to cater for sick children, etc. I agree with Ms Nihill in that the role of the teacher has evolved over a number of years.