IPPN

Last Updated: Thursday, 24 September 2009 10:27

"3,400 Principal Teachers are soon facing an impossible situation" said Seán Cottrell, Director Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN). Mr Cottrell said "given that it is the Principal who is legally responsible for the actual day-to-day management of schools, any agreement that arises from talks between the union and the patrons representatives must be practical and supportive of Principals".

Mr Cottrell said Principals must not be left in the lurch. IPPN is asking for clarity for Principals as it is unreasonable and unfair to leave it up to individual Principals to interpret and implement conflicting directives issued by the INTO and Ministerial circulars from the Dept. of Education. IPPN is particularly concerned that not only will Principals be put in an impossible situation; it will lead to a significant increase in Principals' workload.

Principals are members of the same trade union (INTO) as teachers, but they are also statutory members of the school's Board of Management and are consequently in receipt of contradicting instructions.

We must not forget that the purpose of the school is to educate children. The cutback which will have the greatest effect on the management and running of schools is the refusal to replace Posts of Responsibility which in many schools are used to manage key areas such as children with special needs, children learning English as a second language as well as disadvantaged and traveller children. We must remember that children did not cause the banking crisis and their education should not suffer from its effect. IPPN is committed to supporting Principals nationally in their efforts to minimise the impact of the education cutbacks that have already become a reality for parents, children, teachers and Principals.

ENDS