Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 143: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of hours in the higher diploma in teaching spent on conflict resolution; and if she has satisfied herself with this amount. [40204/06]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 149: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the percentage of teachers receiving in-service conflict resolution training. [40205/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 149 together.

I wish to inform the Deputy that the Higher Diploma programmes for post-primary teacher training provide the necessary skills to mitigate and resolve conflict as it occurs in the classroom and school setting. Conflict resolution is integral to all aspects of the education programme which aims to support teachers as developers and builders of a learning environment in the classroom setting and in the school as a learning community. Specific lectures on conflict resolution are included in the Higher Diploma programmes. However, the subject has many overlaps with other aspects of the programme and it is addressed specifically in areas such as classroom management, practical workshops, tutorials which, on average, amounts to 42 hours. The issue of conflict resolution also forms part of the teaching practice element of the programme.

My Department continues to support teachers in schools to address conflict in a changing school environment as part of the Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) Programme at Junior Certificate level. The support is provided by a dedicated team of seconded teachers and approximately 2,500 teachers have attended SPHE in-service over the past 6 years. The SPHE curriculum is mandatory in all primary schools and post-primary schools up to Junior Certificate Level in which substance use is one of 10 modules taught. During 2005/2006, over 900 post-primary teachers attended in-service programmes at their local Education Centre where conflict resolution was a component.

In addition, my Department provides a range of support to Principals and Deputy Principals in the area of conflict management as part of the Leadership Development in Schools, the School Development Planning Initiative and the Special Education Support Service. I recently established the National Behavioural Support Service (NBSS) which will address issues relating to student behaviour in post-primary schools, including training in conflict resolution techniques. At Primary level, my Department provides continuing professional development support through the Primary Curriculum Support Programme which deals with the revised Primary Curriculum. As part of its remit, support is provided to teachers on conflict resolution in the context of training in the areas of classroom management and Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE).

Continuous professional development is also provided on conflict resolution in the context of training provided by a number of Support Services working with all primary schools: School Leadership Development, School Development Planning Service and the Special Education Support Service. Furthermore, over 5,300 primary teachers attended in-service programmes at their local Education Centre where conflict resolution was a component during 2005/2006.