IPPN

Published: 28 January 2008

In response to the high volume of queries from Principals concerning the status of the long-awaited Circular on In School Management, the following is our understanding of the present situation.

In 2005, IPPN was invited by the Department of Education & Science to join a Working Group to look at the related issues of:

• Principals' Workload
• In-School Management

Participating in that Working Group were the DES, the Management Bodies, IPPN and the INTO. Priority was given to the issue of In School Management as it was seen as an area which, if comprehensively reviewed, could significantly reduce the workload of the Principal. Much valuable work was done by the Working Group on reviewing the Circular on In-School Management. Issues then arose which caused it to be referred to Conciliation and Arbitration for agreement between the DES, Management Bodies and our union, where it has now been for more than a year. The DES is currently unable to tell IPPN when we can expect publication of this Circular.

Despite repeated attempts by IPPN to re-engage with the Working Group, to address issues other than those referred to Conciliation and Arbitration, no meetings of the Working Group have been held since 20^th December 2006. We will continue to press for the publication of this Circular and for progress on Principals' issues through this Working Group and through ongoing discussion with DES officials.

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