7th December 2005 - Principal Teaching Standby as well as Supporting Irish Ferries Workers' Rights
Principal Teachers Standby Children AS WELL AS Supporting Irish Ferries Workers' Rights
Primary School Principals have solved the problem of criticism directed at teachers planning to leave their schools this Friday by offering an additional/alternative on-line 'protest option'. "Showing support for Irish Ferries workers and remaining in school are not mutually exclusive" said IPPN Director Seán Cottrell.
"The Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN) fully supports the protest on Friday on the
issue of workers rights and the manner in which Irish Ferries workers are being treated."
said Sean Cottrell, Director of IPPN today. "This is an issue of fundamental justice and is very relevant to children in schools as it is they who will be affected by labour conditions in years to come."
Regrettably, principals and BOMs find themselves in an extremely difficult situation as correspondence regarding Friday has not yet been received from management bodies, DES or trade unions regarding what exactly is to happen on Friday. Principals have learned through the media comments from their own and other Trade Unions that some staff will be withdrawn from schools on Friday.
We welcome the DES press release issued this Tuesday evening which clarifies some of the issues being raised and this will be forwarded to schools as a matter of urgency by IPPN.
Unbelievably, the reality now is that with only two school days to go, Principals must plan for and manage the absence of an agreed number of staff and also deal with whatever unspecified contingencies may arise on Friday. The responsibility to ensure supervision and safety in over 3,300 schools on Friday afternoon rests firmly with principals. Schools will be open and principals will do everything within their powers to ensure that the best arrangements possible are put in place to minimise disruption to normal service. IPPN will provide practical professional advice and guidance to its members later today.
Many principals were concerned at the likely damage to parent -teacher school relations if the children's education is unduly disrupted. Consequently, IPPN has designed an alternative and /or additional form of protest whereby principals, teachers, school staff, parents, pupils and the public in general can show their solidarity with Irish Ferries workers. To facilitate this, IPPN has developed an
on-line 'protest petition' or "Virtual March" available to all who wish to be heard on this issue. "This on-line petition is one alternative available to those who cannot take part in the protests but who wish to register support," said IPPN President Tomás O Slatara. "Many principals are also taking special measures on the day to teach lessons on labour history, international labour conditions and other relevant subjects.
Teachers, parents, children and members of the public can protest in support of Irish Ferries workers by going on-line to www.EducationOpinion.ie
"To our knowledge this is the only additional/ alternative method of protest on offer this Friday to those wishing to support the Irish Ferries Workers, but who for other reasons cannot attend the march," said O Slatara.
