<p>
	New Bill could also see secondary pupils becoming members of boards of management</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Schools will be obliged to provide performance updates to parents and students for the first time under a new legally enforceable charter.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The measure is contained in a new Education (Parent and Student Charter) Bill due to be published over the coming weeks.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The Irish Times understands that all schools will be required by law to have a parent and student charter based on key guidelines set out by the Minister for Education.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	These charters will aim to strengthen the way parents and students are consulted over the running of schools and to provide more transparent ways of handling complaints.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Consideration will be given to including secondary students on school boards of management for the first time.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	In addition, schools will be required to inform parents and students about their performance in teaching and learning, as well as acknowledging any &ldquo;gaps, deficiencies or room for improvement&rdquo;.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Handling complaints</p>
<p>
	Schools will also be required to provide information on the number of complaints made against it and to publish the number of cases where grievances were accepted or upheld.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Until now, the Minister for Education has had little or no role in handling complaints about a school or decisions made by a board of management.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The new legislation, however, will give the Minister powers to direct school boards of management to draw up parents and student charters and to comply with published guidelines.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The Ombudsman for Children will also have greater powers to investigate complaints made against schools even when they are still under consideration.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	In addition, the Minister may direct schools to comply with guidance or recommendations made by the ombudsman.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	This appears to be a modification of a Bill proposed by Fine Gael TD Jim Daly and accepted by the Government earlier this year which sought to establish a separate ombudsman for education, who would have powers to investigate grievances against schools.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	<strong>Approved by Cabinet</strong></p>
<p>
	The heads of the Bill were approved by the Cabinet recently and are due to be published soon by Minister for Education&nbsp;Richard Bruton.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The overall approach is to shift away from reacting to problems in schools once they have escalated into grievances.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Instead, the emphasis will be on improving the day-to-day experiences of students and what their parents can expect from schools.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	This will be done by setting out in law the principles or guidelines that schools must apply in their engagement with students and parents.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	It means a departure from complaint processes used at present in schools, particularly those relating to teachers&rsquo; behaviour or performance.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Education sources say these procedures are considered unduly adversarial as they require parents to act as a prosecutor and require a significant burden of proof.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Under the new proposals, schools would be obliged to set out how they handle complaints, show how issues have been handled and provide reasons for why decisions are made.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	At primary level, age-appropriate consultation with students will be encouraged, while at second-level the full or partial involvement of students in boards of management will be considered.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	(Published by the Irish Times on the 21st November 2016)</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/schools-to-be-forced-to-provide-performance-updates-to-parents-1.2875809">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/schools-to-be-forced-to-provide-performance-updates-to-parents-1.2875809</a></p>
