Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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277. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department supports the principle that teachers at both primary and post-primary level should avoid engaging in politicised or personal advocacy work within the classroom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39718/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Under the relevant legislation, all schools are managed by the school board of management/ education and training board (ETB). The boards of management and school principals have a responsibility for the quality and effectiveness of education and the management of staff in a school.

The Teaching Council of Ireland requires all registered teachers to comply with its Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers (2nd Edition, 2016) which under Part 2 Professional Integrity states that teachers should “... 2.5 avoid conflict between their professional work and private interests which could reasonably be deemed to impact negatively on pupils/students.” According to the Teaching Council, the purpose of the Code is threefold:

1. It serves as a guiding compass as teachers seek to steer an ethical and respectful course through their career in teaching and to uphold the honour and dignity of the teaching profession.

2. It may be used by the education community and the wider public to inform their understanding and expectations of the teaching profession in Ireland.

3. It has an important legal standing and is used by the Council as a reference point in exercising its investigative and disciplinary functions under Part 5 of the Teaching Council Acts, 2001 - 2015, dealing with fitness to teach.