Primary principals described as jugglers due to workload

Primary principals described as jugglers due to workload

By Donal Hickey

PRIMARY school principals were described as being like jugglers trying to keep several irons in the fire at the same time, and not completing anything in a satisfactory manner.

The INTO congress also heard the task of principals had become impossible due to legislation and policies.

Delegates said fewer and fewer teachers were applying for the post of principal and 77 principals had given up their posts since last November.

INTO president Sean Rowley said other activities carried out by principals had taken over from teaching. Central executive member Declan Kelleher said the workload of principals had increased by over 100% since 1999.

Congress passed a composite motion, including a call that principals should be allowed step down and continue as mainstream teachers without loss of allowance.

Calls were also made for extending the "early start" scheme for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Central executive member Noreen Flynn said the scheme was still at the pilot stage after eight years and had not been extended beyond 40 schools since 1996.

She said it should include all disadvantaged schools to allow children a realistic opportunity and to escape the poverty trap.

"A child doesn't choose whether to be born into the family of a chief executive of a large bank ... or a family racked with poverty and drug abuse," Ms Flynn said.

"But one thing is sure every child deserves the right to a fair start."