School principal faces inquiry

A SCHOOL principal is to be the subject of an inquiry after Education Minister Mary Hanafin ruled that the woman could not be suspended by County Kilkenny Vocational Education Committee (VEC).

Principal Cathy McSorley was granted a High Court injunction last June preventing the VEC from removing her from the post at Kilkenny City Vocational School, pending the outcome of such an investigation. This inquiry has now been ordered by the minister, whom the committee had asked to suspend the principal.

The dispute arises from allegations that Ms McSorley’s leadership of the school has been unsatisfactory, and follows a dramatic drop in student intake and reports that students were being paid to turn up at school.

The principal has constantly denied any wrongdoing and parents have also supported her, as well as questioning the selective leaking of a number of reports on the school to the media.

In one report to County Kilkenny VEC last year, it was confirmed that payments of up to €50 a week were being given to pupils for attending, although this was rejected by Ms McSorley.

The source of the payments was unclear, but the report’s author, County Waterford VEC chief executive Paddy Lavelle, found there was a negative and counter-productive atmosphere in the school.

The latest phase in the dispute came after Ms Hanafin considered Kilkenny VEC’s request. She said legislation provides that an employee can not be suspended without holding an inquiry.

The terms of reference of the investigation or the personnel to carry it out have yet to be decided.

Under the 1930 Vocational Education Act, the minister can establish a local inquiry to be held in relation to the performance of a VEC officer or staff member of their duties.