School Governance

Table of Contents

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 with its own legal identity, somewhat similar to a company.

Pending establishment of boards under the legislation persons who had responsibilities under the structures and systems in place for the management of the schools, including boards of governors were to discharge the role of a board under the legislation.

Boards are except where the management rules otherwise apply, appointed by the patron. In making appointments the patron must comply with directions made by the Minister in respect of gender balance. The Minister with the agreement of the patron National Parents’ Association school management organisations trade union and staff associations prescribes matters relating to the appointment of the board.

Functions of Board

The function of the board is to manage the school on behalf of the patron for the benefit of students and parents and to provide or cause to be provided education for each student at the school. The board must perform its functions in accordance with policies determined by the Department.

It must uphold and be accountable to the patron for upholding the characteristic spirit of the school, as determined by cultural, educational, moral, religious, social, linguistic and spiritual values and traditions which inform and are characteristic of the objectives and conduct of the school. They must comply with all legislation, deeds, charters, articles of management or other instrument relating to the operation of the school.

Duties of Board

Boards consult with and keep the patron informed of decisions and proposals. They must publish the policy of the school concerning

admissions and participation
expulsion and suspension
admission to and participation by students with disabilities or special needs.

They must ensure in relation to that policy the principle of equality and the rights of parents to send their children to a school of their choice are respected. They must respect directions made from time to time by the Department having regard to the character of the school and the constitutional rights of persons concerned.

Boards have regard to the principles and requirements of a democratic society, have to respect and promote respect for diversity of values, beliefs, traditions, languages and ways of life in society. They must have regard to

the efficient use of resources, in particular, grants
the public interest in the affairs of the school
accountability to students the parents the patron staff and the community served.

They must use the resources provided to the school from public monies to make reasonable provisions and accommodation for students with disabilities and special educational needs including in particular, the alteration of buildings and provision of appropriate equipment.

Boards must keep proper and usual accounts and records of monies received and of expenditure of monies. The accounts must be audited in accordance with best accounting practices. They must be made available by the school to the Department and parents insofar as they relate to monies provided publicly.

Board must establish procedures for informing parents and students of matters relating to the operation and performance of the school. Such procedures may include publication and circulation to parents teachers and other staff and a student council, where one is established of s report on the operation and performance of the school in any school year with particular reference to the achievement of objectives in the school plan.

Removal and Dissolution

Subject to the legislation and with the consent of the Minister the patron may for good and valid reasons stated in writing, remove a member of the board or if satisfied that the board’s functions are not being effectively discharged, dissolve the board. Notice in writing of the intention and reasons must be given.

If after one month, the patron having consider representations made on behalf of the member of the board or the board, then the patron, subject to the approval of the Minister may remove the members or dissolve the board as appropriate. A copy of the notice must be given to the Department

If the patron dissolves the board, he may with the approval of the Department appoint any person or body of persons as he thinks fit to perform the functions of the board. If a single person is removed, a casual vacancy may be filled in accordance with regulations

The Department may require the patron to dissolve the board where its functions are not being effectively discharged, it fails to comply with directions or regulations made by the Minister/Department, it fails to comply with a judgement.

There is a procedure by which notice of the intention to dissolve is given and representations may be made within a month. They must be taken into account in the making of the decision.

Report on Board

Where the Minister or the patron is of the opinion that the functions of the board are not being effectively discharged, the Minister or patron may inform the board of that opinion and its reasons. Having considered representations, the Minister or the patron may authorise such person as is directed by the Minister or patron to report on any matter relating to the board

A person preparing the report has rights of access to the school premises and must be afforded every facility and cooperation by the board, teachers and staff of the school. They must allow access to records as is required to perform their functions. They must be supplied with information regarding the performance of the board’s functions as is required.

School Plan

The board must as soon as possible make arrangements for the preparation of a school plan and shall ensure that is regularly reviewed and updated. The plan must be prepared in accordance with directions made by the Minister including directions relating to consultation with parents patrons, staff and students.

It must have objectives in relation to equality of access and participation in school. The board must make arrangements for the circulation of copies of the plan to patrons, parents teachers and other staff.

Appointment of Principal

The board appoints the principal in accordance with procedures agreed between the Department, the patron, a recognised school management organisation, trade union and staff association. The terms and conditions of employment are determined by the Department of Education.

The principal is responsible for the day-to-day management of the school including guidance and direction of teachers and other staff. The principal is accountable to the board for management.

The principal must provide leadership, be responsible for the creation together with the teachers and parents, of a school environment supportive of learning and which promotes the professional development of teachers.

The principal must under the direction of the board and in consultation with teachers and parents, and to the extent appropriate to their age and experience, students, set objectives for the school and monitor the achievement of those objects. The principal must encourage the involvement of parents in the school in the education of students and in the attainment of the objectives of the school.

The principal is to have the powers necessary or expedient for carrying out his / her functions. The principal is entitled to be a member of any and every committee appointed by the board.

Where prior to the legislation the employer of a principal in a post-primary school is a person other than the board the above provisions apply to the person or body who is an employer as it had referred to the board.

Appointment of Teachers

The board may appoint persons as teachers and other staff of the school as it thinks fit to perform at powers and functions. The numbers and qualifications of teachers and other staff who are paid from public monies are determined by the Department.

The board shall appoint teachers and other staff and they suspend or dismiss them in accordance with procedures agreed between the Minister, the patron school management organisations, recognised trade unions and staff associations.

The terms and conditions of employment of teachers and other staff are determined by the Department of Education

Principal and Teachers

The principal and teachers of a recognised school have the responsibility in accordance with the legislation for the instruction of students in school. They must contribute generally to the education and personal development of students in the school. In particular, they must

encourage and foster learning in students
evaluate students and periodically report to students and their parents
collectively cooperate between the school and community line and
subject to their contract of employment, carry out those duties assigned to them by the principal
and in the case of the principal by the board.

The principal is responsible for the day to day management of the school and is accountable to the Board of Management accordingly. The principal together with the teachers under the direction of the principal has responsibility in accordance with legislation for the instruction provided to the students of the school. They shall contribute generally to the education and personal development of the students in the school.

Duties of Principal

The Principal shall—

be responsible for the day-to-day management of the school, including guidance and direction of the teachers and other staff of the school, and be accountable to the board for that management,
provide leadership to the teachers and other staff and the students of the school,
be responsible for the creation, together with the board, parents of students and the teachers, of a school environment that is supportive of learning among the students and which promotes the professional development of the teachers,
under the direction of the board and, in consultation with the teachers, the parents and, to the extent appropriate to their age and experience, the students, set objectives for the school and monitor the achievement of those objectives, and
encourage the involvement of parents of students in the school in the education of those students and in the achievement of the objectives of the school.

For such purposes, the principal is to have all the powers as are necessary in that regard and should carry out his or her functions in accordance with the policies as may be determined from time to time by the board and by statutory regulation. The principal in carrying out duties and functions is to consult with other teachers and staff where practical.

The board is to make arrangements for the preparation of the school plan and make sure that the plan is regularly updated. The plan should state the objectives of the school. It should set out the measures which the school proposes to achieve those objects including equality of access and participation by students with disabilities and who have won special educational needs. The plan should be developed implemented reviewed and evaluated.

School Year

The Minister may, following consultations with patrons, the National Parents Association, recognised school management organisations, trade unions and staff associations prescribe

the minimum number of school days
the minimum hours of instruction in a school day or school week
matters relating to the length of the school year, week, school day or the organisation of the structure of the weekday or year.

A standardised school year has now been provided. This fixes dates of mid-term breaks. There may be some flexibility around holidays. A certain number of discretionary additional days may be taken over the year, subject to maintaining the overall school year after 183 days.

Parents’ Association

Parents of students of a recognised school may establish a parents association for the school. Membership is open to all parents of students. The parents Association shall promote the interests of students in cooperation with the board, principal, teachers and students of the school. For that purpose, it may advise the principal or board of matters relating to the school.

The principal and board shall have regard to such advice. The parents association may adopt a programme of activities, which promote the involvement of parents in consultation with the principal, in the operation of the school/

The board must promote contact between the school, parents of students and the community. They must facilitate and give all reasonable access to parents who wish to establish a parents association.

A parents association shall, following consultation with its members, make rules, govern its meetings business and conduct of its affairs. Where the Association is affiliated with the National Association of Parents the rules shall accord with guidelines issued by the association with the concurrence of the Minister.

A board shall establish and maintain procedures for informing students in a school of its activities. The procedures and facilitate the involvement of students in the operation of the school, having regard to their age and experience, in association with their parents and teachers.

Students Council

Students of a post-primary school may establish a student council. The board must encourage, facilitate and give assistance to students who wish to establish a council and to the student council, once established.

The student council shall promote the interests of the school and the involvement of students in the affairs of the school in cooperation with the board parents and teachers. The rules for the establishment of the Council shall be drawn up by the board in accordance with ministerial guidelines from time to time.

The rules may provide for the election of members and the dissolution of the council. The council itself may make rules governing its meetings, business and the conduct of its affairs.