Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 585: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the role her Department can play in trying to resolve a problem where parents of children attending a primary school have a complaint regarding the education given by a particular teacher and where meetings between these parents and the teacher concerned as well as the school principal and board of management have failed to resolve the situation; if her Department's attention has been drawn to a particular case in this context (details supplied); if an investigation will be launched into the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5662/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibilities relating to the performance of teachers at a school are outlined in section 9(b) and 9(k) of the Education Act 1998. In addition, the role and responsibilities of the principal teacher on this matter are referred to under section 23(2)(a) of the Act.

Under section 9(b) of the Act, schools are required to ensure that the education provided in their schools meets the requirements of educational policy as determined from time to time by my Department, including requirements as to the provision of the curriculum. Parents who have concerns regarding the implementation of the curriculum should refer their concerns, in the first instance, to the board of management of the school. If a complaint concerning the implementation of the curriculum is received by my Department, the board of management is requested to provide its comments and observations on the complaint, including any steps it has taken to deal with the complaint at school level. Following receipt of the board's response, my Department may conduct further enquiries.

With regard to the particular case referred to by the Deputy, my Department is engaged in correspondence with the board of management of the school with a view to determining an appropriate course of action to deal with the issues involved.