IPPN

Published: 31 May 2005

We wrote to you in April welcoming the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 and its potential to improve school attendance. However, serious reservations were expressed concerning the increased administrative burden being borne by principals. This impact is not being matched by a corresponding improvement in attendance by those children recording high rates of absenteeism. This view is based on the belief that there is a lack of meaningful sanctions deployed in such cases.
In the context of the above reservations, IPPN's executive advised Principals & Deputies to continue to fulfil their statutory obligations while awaiting the outcome of a meeting between IPPN and the National Education Welfare Board.
On Thursday next, 2nd June, members of the executive and I will meet with the NEWB at their Headquarters in Green Street, Dublin 1. In order that we accurately & comprehensively represent the views and concerns of our members, I invite you to e-mail me with your priority issues, concerns, problems and suggestions relating to school attendance and NEWB's interactions with principals. Please send your contribution to Virginia before 5pm tomorrow, Wednesday.
An agenda of items for discussion will be formulated arising from the issues received. I look forward to hearing from you.
Is mise le meas,
Virginia O'Mahony
President