IPPN

Last Updated: Tuesday, 25 January 2011 17:20

Eight out of ten primary school Teaching Principals are concerned that children in their classroom are losing out on quality teaching.  A survey of almost 1,000 Principals, conducted by the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN), reveals that 80% of school leaders feel that children are disadvantaged by the constant interruptions such as unsolicited callers, attending to disciplinary matters, case conferences, all of which prevent the Teaching Principal giving undivided attention to her class.

IPPN President, Pat Goff said that:

‘Teaching Principals should have the option of taking up a Resource or Learning Support role in their school. Currently the DES does not allow this arrangement. In recent years, Principals have increased responsibility for monitoring and supporting all teachers in the school. This is not compatible with being a full-time class teacher. Taking on the Learning Support role would enable the Principal to be in contact with all teachers on a daily basis.  As this work would take place in the children’s classrooms, the Principal would be afforded a far greater opportunity to observe the teaching and learning in the school at first hand’.

Over half of the respondents to the survey feel that the role of the Teaching Principal could be best supported by the appointment of a full-time, skilled secretary. However, 60% of schools rely exclusively on part-time secretarial support.  Additionally, half of Principals surveyed feel that a move towards the clustering of a number of small schools with one Administrative Principal should be explored further.