Pupils not covered before school starts, say teachers
This follows a High Court ruling last week in the case of a nine-year-old boy who broke his wrist in a fall in the yard of a Cork school before classes began. It upheld a Circuit Court dismissal of the case, which was brought by the boy’s parents against the school board.
The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) said this should clarify matters for parents who think their children are covered by school insurance once they arrive on the grounds.
“We will be telling principals to be specific and clear with parents about the time from which kids are covered and when they may assemble in the yard,” an INTO spokesman said.
However, he said teachers have a responsibility for children while they are on school premises after classes finish.
“We recommend that parents should be informed in writing of a school’s opening and closing times. They should be told, in particular, the hours during which schools will accept responsibility for pupils,” the INTO spokesman said.
The accident which led to the court case happened 10 minutes before teachers at the school assumed duty in the morning.
However, the National Parents Council (Primary) said there needs to be more clarity on the issue.
“Our understanding is that a school board could be held responsible for a reasonable time before and after school, but that time is not defined,” said council chief executive Fionnuala Kilfeather.
It should not just be a matter about insurance, the safety of our children is the most important thing,” she said.
