Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the timeframe and consultative process for the task force on student behaviour in secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7961/05]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding her plans to tackle the issue of discipline in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7986/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 69 together.

I recently established a task force to consider and report on the issue of student behaviour in second level schools. The task force is chaired by Dr. Maeve Martin of the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. I want the work of this task force to provide a solid foundation for developing policies and best practice in our schools into the future. The task force will link closely to a wide range of interests across the education system on this important issue.

A consultative group is also to be formed comprising all the partners in education and allowing for their input to the deliberations of the task force. In addition, I have asked that the task force constitute fora of teachers, parents and students with a view to testing emerging ideas and proposals. The task force recently invited, by public advertisement, submissions from interested individuals and groups. There have been four meetings of the task force to date and other meetings are planned.

Two consultative fora have been organised, the first in Cork on 14 March and the second in Galway on 21 March. The chairperson and three of the task force members will attend. The planned format is to meet separate groups of teachers, parents and students with a member of the task force acting as rapporteur for each group. This will then be followed by a plenary session which will be chaired by Dr. Martin. The task force will wait to see how this format works before organising any further such fora but it is certainly envisaged that more will be convened. A number of submissions have been received, a number of organisations have indicated their intention to make submissions and there is still plenty of time before the deadline of 31 March 2005.

I have asked the task force to make recommendations by June 2005 with a view to having them implemented by the beginning of the next academic year. I have also asked the task force to complete its work by the end of 2005. However, it may produce interim reports to highlight various issues of analysis and research.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am well aware of the various types of education centres providing an education for so many young people throughout the country. Those groups are represented on this task force to ensure a broad range of views and experience. A recently retired principal teacher on the Youth Encounter project in Limerick city is a member of the group.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I agree, as are all the members of the task force. The task force will consider various issues. The Deputy is correct in that it is a balance of rights, between the individual student and the rest of the students in the class and a balance of rights between the teacher and the right of the teacher to be able to work within that environment. It is to ensure the creation of an educational environment in which everybody can work.

The immediate cry from everybody was for a change in the legislation. I am not satisfied that changing the legislation alone is the answer. Obviously codes of behaviour and proper procedures in the school and proper classroom management can add a lot as can ensuring that students are following a course of study appropriate to them, whether that be the LCVA or various other programmes on offer in schools. Young people should be guided to ensure they are meeting their own needs to allow them to reach their potential.

If it is suggested that a change in legislation would improve the situation for people, then I am certainly open to considering that as part of an overall package that aims to put in place a better school environment.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Is any expert on bullying a member of this task force? Will the task force examine this issue? I have been informed that behaviour learned at a very early age develops and transfers on to second level education where such children not only bully their peers but also the teachers in many instances. Will this form part of the remit of the task force?

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I deliberately called it a task force on student behaviour, which is quite a wide definition. People are invited to make submissions on anything that relates to this subject. I know the task force will be very happy to consider them. The members of the task force are practitioners in all the various sectors of education. They represent parents, teachers, principals and people outside the mainstream education sector and people identified as top class practitioners in their own right. The ASTI and the TUI both asked for this task force to be set up and have expressed their willingness to work very closely with it. I am quite satisfied that anything that would refer to student behaviour can and will be examined by the group.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Will the Minister agree there are significant discipline problems in some schools in the State? Will she agree that something must be done about children from crisis families or dysfunctional situations as they often bring these social problems into the classroom? What is the Minister's response to these types of children? I emphasise these children are in the minority in primary schools and the very severe cases would account for approximately 200 to 300 children nationally. If there is no early intervention they are the children who will become involved in drugs and crime and eventually end up in prison. This aspect of the discipline problem must also be tackled.

I accept the Minister's response that classroom management is a very important aspect of discipline. Effective teaching is another angle to discipline. We are all familiar with examples of good practice in difficult schools where a good class teacher can turn the whole community and school. Has the Minister any future plans to reward the good practice of those teachers, particularly those in disadvantaged areas?

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy McGrath has expressed it quite well. The teacher in the classroom is the person who should be in control and should have the skill to deal with the wide range of issues that arise. The terms of reference of the task force refer to the issue of disruptive students as it impacts on teaching and learning, the effectiveness of strategy at present, in other words, looking at best practice which can then be shared. Any teacher will appreciate being given information on best practice and current strategies. The task force will advise on best practice nationally and internationally. It will make recommendations on how to promote an improved climate for teaching and learning.

I wish to make it clear that the task force is dealing with second level education. It is quite true to say that students cannot leave their families, their society and their problems at the school gate and much of what is happening in the classroom is a reflection of difficulties they are dealing with outside. This is the reason the work of the National Educational Welfare Board, the education psychologists and the wider family support is crucially important in this regard. I refer to positions such as the home-school liaison teacher, which can also be very important. I regard this task force as being a whole school approach to dealing with school behaviour. I look forward to getting the group's recommendations and implementing them quickly.