E-scéal 13: English Language Support Teachers
- Published: 09 May 2003
In recent years, many schools around the country are enrolling children from various parts of the world, frequently without a command of the English language.
Currently, if a school has 14 or more such children, the DES will appoint a resource teacher to support their language learning needs (less than 14 are provided with a cash grant).
However, like resource teachers for special needs children initially, there has been no real support structure for English language support teachers and no platform to air their professional issues or share experiences.
A group of teachers providing English language support to overseas pupils in primary schools have recently formed an association, the English Language Support Teachers, (ELST) to:
- provide support and information to fellow ELS teachers,
- form an affiliation with other similar teachers around the country
- present a unified lobby when dealing with the DES and other relevant associations.
- raise awareness of the work of english language support; its aims and objectives within the primary school structure,
Regular meetings are held at St. Columba's N.S., Douglas in Cork. At present a website is being set up and it is hoped that more meetings, a Newsletter and guest speakers can be organised for the future.
If you have an English language support teacher, please pass this information to her/him whereuon (s)he can network with similar colleagues throughout the country.
Further information from
Gerard O'Shea (Chairperson, ELST)
St. Columba's Boys' N.S., Douglas, Cork Tel
scoilcholmcille@eircom.net
Áine Kennedy (Secretary, ELST)
St. Columba's Girls' N.S., Douglas, Cork Tel
This initiative should be a great help in providing practical support for and reducing isolation experienced by English Language Support Teachers.
Is mise le meas,
Seán Cottrell
Director
E-scéal 12: Circular 16/03: Post-Graduate Diploma in Special Education
- Published: 01 May 2003
Re: Circular 16/03 Post-Graduate Diploma in Special Education
Today the In-Career Development Unit (ICDU) of the Department of Education an Science, contacted us to clarify some points regarding the above Circular (Post-Graduate Diploma Programme in Special Educational Needs for Resource, Special School and Special Class teachers). There apparently has been a lot of confusion regarding this circular within the Primary Sector. Please note the following clarifications.
Application and Selection
School Authorities may allow more than one teacher to apply. However, it is very unlikely that any of the Programmes will be able to offer a place to more than one teacher from any individual school.
Substitution
It is intended that substitution for the relevant periods will be allowed for any eligible teacher in a primary mainstream or special school who is participating in a Programme.
Reminder - Closing Date is Wednesday next May 14th 2003
The Circular is on the Department's WEB address at:
http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/pc16_03.doc
Educationposts.com
To date, more than 12,000 teachers have registered with this web site to avail of its services such as automatic e-mail alerts, text-a-sub, uploading CVs, job sharing partner search and teacher exchange. If you have vacancies in your school this year, why not save 100s of Euro from your Newspaper Advertising by referring to your main advert on www.educationposts.ie
e.g. Newspaper Advert to read:-
Permanent Teacher required, St. Jude's NS Dublin, see www.educationposts.ie for full details.
Avail of the easy step-by-step format to upload your advert with unlimited text to provide more information about the position or your school. For further information about advertising on www.educationposts.ie please contact Sue or Caroline at 1890 21 22 23.
Is mise le meas,
Seán Cottrell Director
E-scéal 11: Assurance by INTO of Commitment to Addressing Crisis Facing Principals
- 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
TacaíÂocht 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 2nd 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.
E-scéal 10: Michael Fullan Workshop - extra places!
- Published: 20 April 2003
Due to the demand Prof. Michael Fullan has agreed to creating some additional capacity at the workshop therefore there a few more places available. If you wish to take up this unique opportunity to attend this workshop please call Sue or Caroline at the office as soon as possible on 1890 21 22 23 to reserve your place. The fee is €100 to IPPN members for full details see www.ippn.ie. The remaining places are on a 'first come - first served'
Is mise le meas,
Seán Cottrell
Director
E-scéal 9: Professionalism - Putting Policy into Practice
- Published: 10 April 2003
The Title of IPPN Conference 2003 was 'Professionalism - Putting Policy into Practice'.
In the context of the Report by HayGroup Management Consultants "Defining the Role of the Primary Principal in Ireland", IPPN recognised that the important issue of In-School Management/Post of Responsibility needed to be critically reviewed.
A Sub-Committee prepared this position paper - "In-School Management - A Critical Review 1997-2003", to examine those issues that needed to be addressed to maximise the potential of the existing In-School Management structures for the benefit of all involved in primary education. (This sub-committee was led by Pat Kavanagh, Wexford).
"In-School Management - A Critical Review 1997-2003", has been submitted to the D.E.S, Management Bodies, and the INTO. It is essential that members of IPPN have an opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to the review of In-School Management.
Principals and Deputy Principals are invited to reflect on this document and to convey their comments to IPPN by post or e-mail (Subject Line Re: "I.S.M.") to info@ippn.ie. Your feedback is requested by March 31st 2003. The document is attached below.
Is mise le meas,
Seán Cottrell
Director