IPPN

Published: 07 December 2005

STATEMENT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE IN RELATION TO THE PROPOSED NATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST ON FRIDAY 9TH DECEMBER

The Department of Education and Science wishes to clarify that all schools should be open on Friday 9 December next. This is in line with he standardised school year arrangements which are designed to give parents certainty about the days on which schools will be open for pupils to receive an education. The only exception to this is where a school has previously scheduled and planned a closure for that day and where this has been notified to parents already.

In relation to the National Day of Protest organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the Department is aware that the unions have communicated with their members regarding attendance at the demonstrations planned throughout the country. The unions have not informed the Department of a work stoppage on Friday next. The INTO and ASTI have indicated to the Department that they intend to put arrangements in place regarding attendance at protest marches that should enable schools to continue to function.

The Minister's position is that every effort should be made, in the interest of pupils, to ensure that all schools remain open on Friday and calls on all other unions involved not to bring about a situation where any school has to close.

In the regrettable event that a school authority becomes aware that the level of absence among teachers in its school will be such that it will be impossible for the school to function for some of the school day it may have no alternative but to advise parents accordingly. In that event the Department is advising the School Management Bodies that it expects school authorities to enable those teachers not absenting themselves to continue working in the school on non class contact activities (e.g. preparation of material, school planning).

The Minister expects that schools will be given adequate advance notice of any intended stoppage or absence so that there will be absolute clarity for parents and pupils.

The public service position is that deductions from pay must be made in all cases of unauthorised absence from work. While teachers and other school employees may decide to attend a protest the Department has clarified that there is a difficulty about authorising absences for teachers who have timetabled class commitments. Furthermore unlike many other areas of the public service there is no general system of casual leave for teachers. This means that teachers who elect to leave school to attend a protest are liable to have deductions made from salary. The Department will be seeking details from schools of any stoppages or absences so that deductions from salary may be made.

A position consistent with the above should apply in other colleges and institutions throughout the Education sector.

Ends