IPPN

Published: 19 May 2009

Source: indpendent.ie

By John Walshe Education Editor

Tuesday May 19 2009

school principals could end up cleaning toilets and classrooms in September.

The revelation follows confirmation that the country's 91 community and comprehensive schools will be hit by the public service jobs embargo.

As a result, they will be unable to replace caretakers, cleaners or secretaries who retire or are on short-term contracts and have to be let go.

The disclosure is another blow for the sector, which is losing a record number of principals. Already 20 principals have announced their intention to retire this year.

The sector, which caters for 52,000 students, claims to be the worst hit by education cuts and the jobs embargo. The Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools (ACCS) says the moratorium will have disproportionate effects on its members.

Regardless

ACCS general secretary Ciaran Flynn told the Irish Independent: "If a clerical officer retires, takes parental or carers leave, job-shares, is out sick for an extended period, or is out on maternity leave they will not be replaced."

"This is in contrast with private secondary schools where each school is given a sum of public money to employ secretarial staff and this will continue regardless."

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said schools where a vacant post was subject to the moratorium should contact the department.

"If, having considered the request, the department is also of the view that the vacancy should be filled, the department will communicate and engage directly with the Department of Finance on the matter," he said.

But Fine Gael education spokesperson Brian Hayes said the embargo was "unbelievable" and should be reversed for these schools. It should not be left to the "Stalinist approach" of the department to decide which schools would get cleaners.

The ACCS warned principals could end up with a range of extra duties, including:

* Cleaning toilets, classrooms, offices and corridors.
* Overseeing the pastoral care and class tutor work.
* Opening, closing, securing, and maintaining the school, and moving furniture.
* Ensuring students' safety.
* Taking in and receipting all monies, payment of invoices and compiling the payroll for non-teaching staff.
* Organising work placements for students.

Mr Flynn said the separate moratorium on middle management promotions would have a huge impact as well.

"I am aware of one school where seven assistant principals will be retiring at the end of the school year and will not be replaced," he said.

"As the paid substitution available will be pathetically small next year, once again the principal and deputy principal are the only ones who will take up the slack."

- John Walshe Education Editor