Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the directives given to primary schools to allow pupils entry into the school before school starts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31398/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Under the provisions of the Education Act 1998 and the regulations of the Department of Education and Science, the board of management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school. The overall responsibility for the day to day management of school supervision rests with the Principal Teacher. The terms of Circular 16/73, which issued to all primary schools, provide that the Principal Teacher of primary schools should organise supervision for the order and general behaviour of the pupils during school hours. In particular, he or she should organise and participate in the effective supervision of the pupils during breaks, lunch-breaks, assembly and dismissal. This circular was drawn up in consultation with the school management representative bodies at that time. Rule 121(4) and 124(1) of the Rules for National Schools and Section 23(2) of the Education Act 1998 oblige teachers to take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of pupils and to participate in supervising pupils when the pupils are on school premises, during school time and/or on school activities. Accordingly, the responsibility of all teachers individually and collectively to provide a duty of care at all times towards the children in the school in which they teach, including periods of supervision, remains.