IPPN

Last Updated: Friday, 09 July 2010 11:48

The Tánaiste and Minster for Education & Skills, Mary Coughlan TD launched ‘Supporting Each Other – a guide to best practice for the effective partnership between Principals and Parent Associations’ on Friday 9th July at Leinster House.  The publication was jointly developed by the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) and National Parents Council – Primary (NPC–P).  The publication charts a collaborative framework for effective partnership between schools and parent associations. It is an historic publication, as it is the first-time that collaboration at this level (between parents and principals) has taken place in the Irish Education System.

Launching the publication, An Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills said ’it is vital that there are strong and healthy lines of communication between principals and parent associations. I would like to compliment the very many individuals and groups which made a contribution to this publication which should prove a valuable point of reference. I look forward to establishing how beneficial this document proves to be and how we can continue to build on initiatives such as this in future’.

One of the key recommendations of the publication is that parents should be actively involved in the development of school policies, particularly in the area of school organisation.  ‘The forging of strong links at official level between parents and school principals has the potential to effect real change in the Irish educational landscape.  A good working relationship between the parents’ association and the school principal ensures a strong school community built on trust and respect’ stated Seán Cottrell, IPPN Director.

Áine Lynch, CEO, NPC-P said ‘effective partnerships between home and school benefit children as they learn more, are better behaved and are happier at school.  While the parents are represented on every school Board of Management in the country through the election of two parents’ representatives, in many cases this representation is confined to the margins as they have no function in bringing parent issues to the attention of the Board’.

A joint statement from Áine Lynch, CEO of NPC-P and Seán Cottrell, Director of IPPN, described the document as ‘the culmination of a partnership process between parents and principals which will greatly enhance the quality of education provided to our children’.   

ENDS