A quarter of parents find teachers hard to deal with [Independent.ie]
- Published: 13 January 2011
ONE in four parents believe their children's teachers are not very approachable, a major survey reveals today.
And one parent in six feels that the schools do not want them involved.
Formal involvement in the parents' council or board of management is confined to a small group of parents, usually those with higher levels of educational qualifications.
The study found that working class parents with lower levels of education tended to have less formal contact with the school than other social groups.
Where they do have contact, it is more likely to be in response to difficulties with their child's behaviour or lack of educational progress.
The study, by Delma Byrne and Emer Smyth for the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), found that parents were broadly satisfied with their children's schooling.
But there was a need to develop broader competencies -- particularly computer skills, preparation for work and life skills.
Parents tended to be more critical of the Junior Cert curriculum than the Leaving Certificate.
'Behind the Scenes?' draws on surveys of parents of senior cycle students as well as insights from school personnel. It is the most comprehensive study to date of Irish parents' involvement in their children's education.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
