MINISTER FOR Education Batt O’Keeffe has decided to back off from any possible confrontation with teachers over tuition days lost during the recent big freeze.
Most schools closed for between two and five days during the freeze. Last week there were suggestions the Minister might extend the school year or shorten the February mid-term break to allow schools make up the lost time.
However, yesterday the department said the Minister was not being “dogmatic’’ about how schools make up the time.
In practice, schools will be allowed the flexibility to make up the time as they see fit.
The issue was discussed between department officials and the teacher unions last week. However, the department did not insist on any changes to the school year.
Concern has been expressed that Leaving Cert students in particular could lose out because of the school closures. Under the Education Act, all second-level schools are obliged to open on 167 days per year. But this requirement is not rigidly enforced by the department.
The department is anxious to avoid any further confrontation with the teachers’ unions who are already planning a protest campaign against the budget pay cuts.
Last night the National Parents Council (post-primary) welcomed the Minister’s “softly softly” approach towards the lost school days. Director Rose Tully said exam students should have no fears as teachers could be relied on to make up the time and complete the syllabus.
She also opposed any plan to shorten mid-term or Easter holidays as they could create huge inconvenience for parents.
John White, general secretary of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland, said most exam students lost only about two or three classes in each subject and teachers would have no difficulty completing the course.
