IPPN

An independent survey commissioned by the Irish Primary Principals' Network provides worrying evidence that most teachers do not wish to become Principals. The IPPN believes that a crisis is looming in Primary Education unless the role of Principal Teacher is made more desirable and do-able. The countrywide survey of 245 teachers was carried out by Mercator Market Research from the 5th to 9th of February 2001. The research is being presented today (16th February) to the first National Conference of the Irish Primary Principals Network which is being attended by some 420 principals and guests in Galway. IPPN is a new professional association representing primary school principals in Ireland. It's objectives are to provide and facilitate personal, professional and career development and to be a national voice for the views and concerns of principals. When asked how likely they were to apply for the position of Principal Teacher at some stage in the future an alarming 67% of the teachers interviewed indicated they were unlikely to apply. Only 5% said they were very likely to apply. The trend is also getting worse with fewer applicants likely in the future. In response to the question: Do you consider that, compared with your views in the past, you are more or less likely to apply for the position of Primary Principals?, only 7% of the teachers surveyed indicated they were more likely to apply whereas a worrying figure of 46% responded that they were now less likely to apply.

The key factors in teachers' consideration in possibly applying for principalship were primarily related to adequate support and professional development. IPPN has already identified this as a key concern and has submitted proposals for a comprehensive professional and support structure for all principals and deputy principals. The factors are ranked below by the percentage of the sample who considered the issue important.

Adequate professional development and support for the position.- 94%
Professional Preparation for the position. -91%.
Suitability and fairness of procedures. - 90%
Adequate definition of responsibilities - 86%.
Principal Teacher's salary/allowance -80%
Stress relative to classroom teaching. -73%
Combining the duties of a principal teacher with class teaching -67%.

Department of Education and Science data about the numbers of teachers applying for Principalship also provides cause for concern:

1996: 5.4 applicants on average per vacancy.
1998: 4.5 applicants on average per vacancy.
2000: 3.5 applicants on average per vacancy.

Information received from CPSMA, Church of Ireland Board of Education and Educate Together, also confirms this alarming trend. The Education Secretaries consulted were aware of at least 10 schools with no application received for the post of Principal and over 30 schools with just 1 or 2 applicants. They were critically concerned over this sharp fall in applications and regarded it as a priority issue for primary education. Evidence was also received that many Deputy Principals are not interested in applying for the post of Principal. These results pose a serious challenge for all the Partners in Education. IPPN National Director Sean Cottrell said: This independent survey, backed up by the information provided by the management authorities, and the statistics of the DES clearly points to a crisis at the heart of our primary education system. The consequences for our primary schools are extremely serious should this trend continue.

Mr. Cottrell concluded that 'IPPN believes that the Principal's role must be urgently re-defined in realistic terms. The role is pivotal to ensuring that we all have well run schools. Parents depend on quality leadership in our schools for their children's primary education. The post of principal must be perceived by teachers as an attractive promotional prospect'. We are forwarding the results of the research to Minister Michael Woods and to the other education partners. We will be seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister to see how we can jointly tackle this issue. IPPN will be asking for the speedy implementation of all of the recommendations in the report of the DES working group on the role of the primary principal to help solve this current crisis. We will also hold talks with the Partners in Education with a view to making the post of principal in primary schools more desirable and do-able.

For Further Information
Tomás O'Slatara, PRO

Sean Cottrell, National Director