IPPN

Published: 21 April 2003

Last Thursday, executive members of IPPN met with the INTO leadership to appeal that the union give priority to the crisis facing principals of the country's 3,300 primary schools. At this meeting IPPN was assured by the INTO of their commitment to address this issue both during and subsequent to its annual congress which takes place this week.

The main causes of this crisis are:

• Constant increases in principals' workload with every new education initiative and policy development
• Legislation which has radically changed the nature of the principal's role with more and more responsibilities and functions devolved from the DES Boards of Management to school principals
• Inadequate secretarial and caretaking support in schools
• A grossly inadequate salary which fails to reflect a principal's level of responsibility and workload

This crisis has lead to:

• A rapid rise in the number of principals seeking early retirement or "stepping down" to a teaching role, due to high levels of stress, burn-out and other related health problems
• A dramatic fall in the number of teachers applying for the post of principal - the average number of applicants per vacant principal's post in 1996 was 5.9, in 2002 the average no. of applicants has fallen to 2.9
• A deep concern from teaching principals (75% of all principals) about the educational impact on their pupils, due to the simultaneous time demands arising from the dual role of principal and class teacher (Report on The Role of Primary Principal in Ireland by HayGroup Management Consultants 2003)
• Frustration, disillusionment and falling morale as remuneration for primary principals' was negatively affected, in relative terms, by the Benchmarking process

IPPN, in its capacity as a professional body for school leaders, now urges the INTO to give immediate priority to the above issues in order to prevent an emerging crisis of leadership in our primary schools.

Is mise le meas,

Seán Cottrell
Director

Tacaí­ocht 3 - containing IPPN's recommendations to the INTO - issued Jan, 2003

IPPN welcomes the fact that the INTO has recently begun to give greater priority to the pay and conditions of service of principals and deputy principals. We further acknowledge that our union recognises that the relatively low level of principals salaries and associated unreasonable working conditions, are serious issues of concern for the career prospects of all teachers.

As previously stated, IPPN bears no responsibility to represent its members on industrial relations issues. Nevertheless, as a professional body representing school leaders, we have continuously argued for the professional needs of school leaders. Impediments to the health & welfare of school leaders affect every aspect of school life. IPPN's contribution to the debate on the role of the primary principal is contained, in the main, in the publication The Value of Leadership? In the context of an ever diminishing number of teachers applying for principalship and an increasing number of principals frustrated and dissatisfied with their roles, some key issues must be addressed by our union, management bodies and the DES in order to bring a sense of fairness and hope to those currently engaged in school leadership as well as those aspiring to become school leaders.

Amongst these issues are:

• A separate salary scale for principals and deputy principals (on par with 2^nd level) with appropriate differentials to facilitate a progressive career/promotion pay path
• The inclusion of all teaching and non-teaching staff as the basis for - appointment of administrative principals - calculation of teaching principals' release days - calculation of principals' allowances (until separate salary scale implementation)
• A properly substituted release structure for all teaching principals
• Release time for deputy principals of larger schools on a pro-rata basis
• Full secretarial and caretaking facilities for all schools
• An agreed rate of overtime pay
• An agreed system for the recoupment of work related expenses
• An immediate plan to phase out the appointment of unqualified teachers
• An undertaking to train all ancillary staff with immediate priority for SNAs
• A dignified 'step-down' facility for long serving principals without loss of benefits or seniority
• Basic office space with appropriate administration software & equipment

IPPN supports the INTO in its aims to improve the pay and conditions of principals and deputy principals. However, we are concerned that in the pursuit of these goals every effort must be made to avoid any:

• Lessening of the quality of education provided to primary school children
• Damage to the fabric of relations between principals and their staffs, BoMs and parents
• Further increase or postponement of the workload of school leaders

There is a critical need to ensure that teachers and parents support union and management bodies in campaigning for the improvement of the pay and working conditions of principals and deputy principals. Progress on these issues will ensure a healthier future for the leadership of all schools. It is therefore essential that positive public relations be maintained locally as well as nationally, throughout the course of any campaign undertaken in this regard if success is to be achieved.