IPPN

28th January 2010 Procedures for Dealing with Underperforming Teachers are Flawed

Last Updated: Thursday, 28 January 2010 12:19

'It is professionally irresponsible to implement a departmental circular on the procedures for the suspension and dismissal of the small number of teachers who are underperforming without the required training and resources' stated IPPN President, Pat Goff at the IPPN Annual Conference in Citywest Hotel & Convention Centre, Co. Dublin (today Thursday 28th January). The circular (60/2009) cannot be effectively implemented as the agreed panel of retired and serving Principals who are to provide advice and guidance to Boards of Management has not been set up, continued Mr Goff.

The procedures that were listed in the circular include areas such as professional competence and personal conduct which impinge on the educational opportunities of children. These include instances where a teacher's conduct or competence may warrant administrative leave pending an investigation.

'Five years ago, IPPN was scape-goated for mentioning the elephant in the room' said Mr Goff, referring to the issue of underperformance in our schools. The Department of Education circular promised appropriate support and training through the relevant education support services. 'However, we are now led to believe that very same support services are to be decimated as a result of cutbacks' said Mr Goff.

ENDS