THE NPC Post Primary, which is an umbrella group for eight parent associations, is also involved in developing training programmes for parents.
Paul Doyle, of the ICDU, says that they have had ongoing discussion with the NPC Post Primary and that progress is being made. "We hope that the discussions will come to fruition in the near future and translate into action on the ground," says Doyle.
He points to a number of individual initiatives which have already been undertaken by individual groups of parents or individual parent associations which the ICDU has supported and funded. Last year, the ICDU participated in a joint initiative with NPC-PP to provide parents and others with information on the new senior cycle initiatives including the LCYP, the LCAP and the Transition Year.
Nick Killian, spokesman for the NPC-PP says that the council plans to set about training trainers to facilitate setting up new parents associations or to help develop existing ones. Further training around the role of parents on boards on management is also in the offing.
NPCJPP is in the process of producing an information pack on the organisation which should be ready early in December. It will include information on all aspects of post primary education.
Meanwhile the National Association for Parent Support is also involved in providing information to parents. It has produced leaflets on various issues such as drugs, bullying and stress and work has commenced on information on cults. NAPS also organises seminars and training programmes for parents. Elizabeth Quinn, of NAPS, says it is vitally important for parents to understand the jargon that surrounds various issues.
