Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 471: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a code of practice or circular exists outlining best practice procedures for teachers when parents wish to meet teachers and principals in both public and private post-primary schools regarding the progress of their children in that post-primary school; if there is an obligation on teachers to meet with parents regarding same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8164/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Best practice would suggest that parents should be able to meet their child's teachers at any point during the year at a mutually agreeable time to discuss the student's progress, without having to wait for a formal parent-teacher meeting. In regard to formal parent-teacher meetings, an agreement with the second level teacher unions has been in place since 2004-05.

This agreement, which is set out in circular M58/04 provides as follows: There will be three formal parent-teacher meetings per year; meetings will commence at 4.15 p.m. in all schools, each school closing 15 minutes earlier than normal, and will conclude at 6.45 p.m.; in accordance with good practice, parents who are waiting at 6.45 p.m. will be seen if this can reasonably be done; in the small number of cases where a parent is unable to attend the formal meeting, current practice, whereby the parent is facilitated to meet a teacher he or she wishes to meet will apply, and a time mutually convenient will be agreed.