Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)

Like Deputy Lawlor, I commend the Minister on his active determination to improve our education system despite the difficult circumstances in which he has to operate. As the Minister is aware, I have a great deal of teaching experience. I am speaking in the context of my experience as a teacher and as a principal in mainstream schools and in a school for physically disabled children.

I would like to concentrate on a couple of areas, the first of which is section 6 of the Bill. It may come as a surprise to Deputies to hear that I welcome the provisions in this section that provide for the suspension and dismissal of teachers by boards of management in accordance with procedures determined by the Minister. Any dismissal of an employee should take place as a last resort. If it is possible to give guidance and assistance to teachers who are somehow in distress or difficulty, that should be done.

It is important to recognise that the vast majority of teachers and public servants do an excellent job. From time to time, the practices of a small number of teachers bring teaching into disrepute. Part of the problem in the broader public service is that it is difficult to dismiss a public servant. That needs to be examined. It is wrong that people can be paid for a job they are not doing. It detracts from the value of the excellent work that is being done by others. It is one of the factors that leads to criticism of the public service, including the teaching profession. I accept that such criticism is often grossly unfair.

In addition to boards of management being involved in dismissals, it is important for departmental inspectors to be allowed make an input. As Deputy Colreavy said earlier, boards of management often have to deal with cases involving people who know each other very well. That can be a positive or a negative thing. I hope the Minister will ensure inspectors are involved in decisions of this nature. That would help to guarantee a level of objectivity, which is important. Unfortunately, people can be picked on because they happen to be disliked by larger groups.

Section 6 provides for the inclusion in the Education Act 1998 of a new section 23(1)(e), which provides that one of the duties and responsibilities of principals is to "encourage the involvement of parents". Parental involvement in schools is extremely important. It is happening to a much more significant extent than previously was the case. That has generally been beneficial for schools and individual pupils. If parents have a serious interest in the education of their children, the individual child will almost always benefit.

I would like to refer to a problem that can arise in this regard. Some parents are so wrapped up in their own children that they cannot look at the broader picture. It is important that certain lines are not crossed when parents get involved in schools. Specifically, parents should not interfere in how classes are run and indiscipline is dealt with. When I worked as a teacher, I dealt with the case of a child who had to be suspended for a few days, unfortunately, but was brought to school by his father on the first day of the suspension. I pointed out to him that the decision to suspend his child had been taken by the board of management rather than by me, but he insisted on his child staying in the school. It led to quite a difficult situation.

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