Board Policy The Board shall publish, in such manner as the board with the agreement of the patron considers appropriate, the policy of the school concerning admission to and participation in the school, including the policy of the school relating to the expulsion and suspension of students and admission to and participation by students with disabilities or who have other special educational needs The principal […]
Policy The Education Act, 1998 requires the Boards of Management of each school to publish the policy of the school relating to participation by students with special educational needs, including students who are exceptionally able. The measures schools take in this regard are required to be stated in the school plan. The 1998 Act provides that every person concerned with the implementation of the legislation […]
Board of Management It is the duty of the patron to appoint a Board of Management where practicable. Some schools, particularly private schools, have not done so. The extent to which “practicable” limits the duty is not clear. It is arguably contrary to the intention and purpose of the legislation, which prescribes accountability to parents through the Boards of Management. Boards of Management have corporate […]
Overview The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 provides the framework for school enrolment that is designed to ensure that every child is treated fairly and that the way in which schools decide on applications for admission is structured, fair and transparent. The Act applies to recognised schools. A school must establish and maintain an admission policy which provides for maximum accessibility to the school. The […]
Background Traditionally, discipline was governed by non-statutory rules and practices. A number of regulations and circulars were issued by the Department of Education which were relevant to the issues. Very few cases were litigated. However, some cases concerning alleged assaults were taken. Corporal punishment was in effect allowed at common law. The teacher was in loco parentis (in the place of the parent) during school […]
Scholl Attendance The parents of a child must cause the child to attend a recognised school on each school day. This is not to apply where the child is registered to receive education outside school such registration as pending is temporarily attending school outside the State there exists sufficient cause for not attending Where a child is absent from school during part of a day […]
Educational Welfare Act The Educational Welfare Act 2000 deals with registration of children receiving education other than in recognised schools compulsory attendance of certain children at recognised schools establishment of the National Educational Welfare Board coordination of school attendance with other relevant bodies and the supply of data by persons relating to educational history to certain persons. NEWB The function of the National Educational Welfare […]
Setting the Curriculum The Department following consultation with school patrons, the National Association of Parents recognised school management organisations, trade unions and staff associations representing teachers may prescribe the curriculum for recognised schools including subjects to be offered syllabus for each subject amount of instruction time to be allotted to each subject guidance and counselling provision The Department may have regard to the characteristic spirit […]
National Schools The national schools were established under the so-called Stanley letter in 1831. The schools were originally multidenominational with a limitation and division between religious and non-religious education. Originally a sign was to be hung when religious education was in progress. All religious symbols were to be removed. Parents had a right to remove children from religious education if it conflicted with their beliefs. […]
The Education Act The Education Act 1998 placed the organisation of the system of primary and secondary education on a formal legal basis for the first time. The objective of the Education Act was to give practical effect to the rights Constitutional rights of children including those with disabilities and special educational needs to education promote equality of access to and participation in education provide […]
Codes of Behaviour Boards of Management of schools must after consultation with teachers, parents, Educational Welfare Officers prepare a code of behaviour in respect of students registered at the school. The code of behaviour must specify: standards of behaviour to be observed by students attending the school; measures to be taken when the student fails or refuses to observe standards; procedures to be followed before […]
Appointment of Board It is the duty of the patron of the school to appoint a board of management. The composition is to be agreed upon between patrons of schools, the National Parents Associations, recognised school management organisations, trade unions and staff associations representing teachers as well as the Department. The board is appointed certain functions by the legislation. Each board is a corporate body […]
Inpectorate The function of the Inspectorate is to support and advise recognised schools, centres for education and teachers in matters relating to the provision of education. They shall visit recognised schools and centres on the initiative of the Inspectorate following consultation with the board patron, parents of the students and teachers as appropriate to any of the following: evaluate the organisation and operation of the […]