Ms Maria Doyle:

That makes for a good beginning to the discussion. I thank the Chairman for her comments and for the opportunity to speak.

The IPPN represents 6,000 principals and deputy principals at primary level. It does not have any remit at second level. We looked at both amendments, beginning with the Education (Amendment) Bill. The IPPN considers the establishment of an ombudsman for education unnecessary and sees no justification for an additional oversight layer. A number of people have addressed that it would be another layer on top of layers already within the education system.

We currently work very well with Office of the Ombudsman for Children. The Ombudsman for Children, Dr. Muldoon, has articulated his own position eloquently today, and we concur with everything he has brought to the table here. That is based on our experience as principals and as an organisation representing principals and deputies. If there were issues regarding that relationship we would not be currently working in tandem with him on other groups such as the well-being for teachers and learners group which we have established in the recent past. The Ombudsman for Children and his office works collaboratively and effectively with schools and professional organisations such as ourselves in representing the voice of children. It encourages schools to have robust and effective policies and practices in place to promote the welfare and the rights of children.

The provisions of the Education (Parent & Student Charter) Bill as outlined will strengthen the current role of the Ombudsman for Children. In doing so it will eliminate the necessity to establish an ombudsman for education, for all the reasons that have been put forward by other speakers today. The number of pieces of legislation in recent years has created a considerable stranglehold on an already oversubscribed sector. The current system can include the Ombudsman for Children's office in the new charter. We believe it is unnecessary to consider an ombudsman for education.

The IPPN welcomes and supports the provision of a parent and student charter, particularly when the focus is on fostering culture change within school communities to prevent grievances from arising. Schools are all about prevention. If we address things at an early stage in any grievance, that is the best possible way to deal with complaints. As outlined in the parent and student charter, we believe that this focus on culture change would enhance that. Schools currently work collaboratively at primary level with parents and pupils to promote the welfare and rights of children. We welcome the setting out in law of principles of engagement with students and parents. It is well-established that a significant number of primary schools have a well-functioning parents' association. Those that do not are currently looking creatively at establishing parents' associations. Working collaboratively with parents underpins everything that our organisation adheres to. Primary schools have engaged in recent years with establishing student councils. I am an advocate for that. It has worked very well in my school. We have seen very good examples of student councils working extremely well at primary level.

Current procedures used to address parental complaints in schools have been agreed by management bodies and unions. I am aware they have not been agreed to by the National Parents Council. However, these procedures are not underpinned by legislation. They have in the past and are currently widely interpreted, often giving rise to confusion and conflict. Schools will require significant assistance in drafting individual parent and student charters as there could be a variety of interpretations of the elements outlined in the legislation, which would be counter-productive. We would be happy to see the complementary role of the parent and student charter and the school self evaluation mode mentioned in the parent and student charter outline. It is viewed by the IPPN as a very positive move.

I am heartened to hear from the Department that the skeleton of this charter is currently there, and that the details of this charter will be worked out with the partners in education. That has worked very well with the Department and ourselves heretofore. We look forward to examining the detail and influencing how it will look when finished.

We are all about resolution. Schools are all about resolution, not about conflict. If we look to this parent and student charter as it is evolving, we do not see that the establishment of an ombudsman for education is warranted.