Written answers

Wednesday, 15 February 2017

Department of Education and Skills

Weight of Schoolbags

Photo of Catherine MartinCatherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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135. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the steps that will be taken to address the issue with regard to the recent survey conducted by the National Parents’ Council Primary regarding the back health of children from carrying heavy school bags; when his Department last issued information to all primary and post-primary schools highlighting the health hazards of heavy school bags; if his Department will consider mandatory weight guidelines for schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7510/17]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the recent survey carried out by the National Parents Council on the weight of school bags. The matter was discussed by the Oireachtas Committee for Children and Youth Affairs on 25th January 2017. My Department will of course consider any findings or recommendations the Committee may make on this matter.

My Department issued circulars to all primary and post-primary schools in 2005 to highlight the potential health hazard of overweight schoolbags and to outline a range of local measures that could be put in place to help alleviate the problem.

The report of the Working Group on the Weight of School Bags, commissioned in 1997, recognised that many of the solutions to this issue belong at local school level and made various recommendations in this regard, such as optimum use of storage facilities, developing pupil organisation skills and timetabling.

My Department is aware that positive action has been taken by many schools on these issues. Actions consist of a range of measures, including the provision of lockers and in the case of second level school the arrangement of the timetable into double class periods, active liaison with parents and the co-ordination of homework by subject teachers.

Ultimately it is a matter for each individual school to determine which particular measures are most suited to its individual circumstances and to how the school concerned organises teaching and learning.

The use of digital resources by teachers and students in schools is increasing. While conventional textbooks are still widely used, a number of schools have introduced or are considering introducing e-books and other digital resources to enhance students' work in school and at home. Schools can use the book grant scheme to purchase a range of digital resources relevant to the curriculum.

It should be also be noted that Scoilnet.ie, the Department funded website, supports Primary and Post-Primary teachers in sharing and finding useful resources for the classroom, including the Britannica School website, and other valuable online content and resources to assist in teaching and learning.

On 5 December 2016, I published the General Scheme of an Education (Parent and Student Charter) Bill 2016. The Government have approved the draft outline of a new law, which will require every school to consult with parents and students, and publish and operate a Parent and Student Charter.

The publication of this draft legislation will fulfil a key commitment in the Action Plan for Education to improve information and complaint procedures for parents and students relating schools.

The draft legislation defines the principles that will guide how schools will engage with students and parents. Some of the issues which schools will be required to deal with under the charter include:

- Inviting feedback from students and parents and

- Providing better information about School Management and School Policies.

Following consultation with our education partners, including the National Parents Council (Primary), National Parents Council (Post Primary) and the Irish Second-level Students Union, I will finalise national guidelines on a Parent and Student Charter.

The draft Bill will now go to the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills for pre-legislative scrutiny.

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