Mary Moran (Labour)
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I thank the witnesses for coming in for this very worthwhile debate, although it is unfortunate we had so many stops and starts. I would like to thank Deputy Daly for bringing this matter forward today. I commend him on his remarks, 99% of which I would concur with. Having over 20 years experience of teaching, the first thing that would strike me with regard to boards of management, and it is something I would ask, is that their membership needs to be made clear on school websites. I have searched many school websites and while I can find out who the principal is and other information, I can never find out who is on the board of management. I have had many representations from parents who wish to approach board members but they cannot find out who they are. It seems to be a golden secret in many schools, which is something I believe needs to be addressed.

I have experience in both the VEC and in the secondary situation. I would concur with Deputy Daly on this point. In the secondary model, I have yet to hear of a case where a board of management has come out strongly against a principal and I believe they tend to support the principal 100%, no matter what the decision is. My experience with VEC boards is that the conversations are much more honest and open in this regard.

Will Mr. Fennelly and the other witnesses give us their views on the parents charter and how they think it will help? The question Deputy Daly asked of the Department of Education and Skills is exactly where are we with the parents charter. I know it is expected to come out but what is the exact position at this time?

Another point that needs to be taken up is training for parents representatives in particular. Much of the time parents go on boards of management without realising exactly what they are letting themselves in for. Again, I stress that an amazing amount of work is done by boards of management, particularly from the parents' side. However, while I not know if it happens everywhere in the country, it seems to me that many principals end up as chairpersons of the boards of management, and I do not know if that is a good idea all of the time. We need fresh blood and fresh and different ideas rather than getting people who are retired and gone out of the system to then come back. There is a whole conversation to be had there as well.