IPPN

28th January 2009 - Are Education Agencies Really Working?

Last Updated: Monday, 16 March 2009 15:20

Principals clearly identify the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) as the agency that has the most positive effect on children in schools. They are also one of the agencies that impact least on the administrative work of the school. In the weeks leading up to their conference which takes place in Killarney this week, IPPN carried out a survey of principals to gauge their views on how well other agencies impact on the learning of children. There are over a dozen agencies that interact with schools on a regular basis where the aim of the agency is either to directly impact on the learning of the child or to support the school in doing so.

In contrast, the National Education Welfare Board impacts least to the learning of children and adds most to the paperwork and administration for schools. 'While The National Education Welfare Board has done some good work on data collection and anti-bullying guidelines, feedback from Principals clearly tells us that their interaction with the NEWB significantly increases administration while the specific problems they were set up to address are not being dealt with' said Larry Fleming, President of IPPN.

In a time when resources are scarce and we need to have the greatest impact on improving teaching and learning, it is time to do an objective evaluation on which education agencies make a real difference to children's learning. This should determine future funding priorities' said Mr. Fleming. 'If the DES has to make bold decisions on priorities, then there must be access to a NEPS psychologist for every child in every school'.

Note for Editors:

The following are some of the agencies and programmes working with primary schools mentioned above.