Seanad debates

Tuesday, 26 March 2013

Education and Training Boards Bill 2012: Committee Stage

 

4:35 pm

Photo of Averil PowerAveril Power (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 3:


In page 28, subsection (1)(d), line 25, after ?subsection (9)? to insert the following:
?, at least two of whom shall be representative of learners?.
This is an important amendment. Of the 21 members of the education and training boards, at least two should be representatives of learners. When the Seanad discussed the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act, which related to third level qualifications, the Minister kindly accepted an amendment I tabled providing that two representatives of learners would be on the board of the authority established under the legislation. The same principle should apply to this Bill. As currently worded, the Bill provides that a nominating body will submit to the Minister the name of a person who would represent learners but does not specifically reserve one place on the board for a learner representative. While I assume all Ministers would choose to appoint one representative of learners to a board of 21 members, this is not required.

Two learner representatives should be appointed for the reasons I cited in the debate on the quality assurance in education legislation. It is difficult to be the only person at a table serving a particular function, but this is especially the case for a representative of learners on a board that includes 12 councillors, several members of staff and several parents. At least two learner representatives are required to provide for proper representation across the sector. While some of the voluntary community schools at primary level will be represented, the representatives mainly reflect the adult education system and vocational education committees. Given the broad spectrum of learners involved, we should ensure that at least two of the 21 places on the board are filled by representatives of learners. This will ensure learners' voices are at the centre of all the board's work feedback from learners will be listened to.

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