‘More resources needed to deal with behaviour problems at schools’

SCHOOLS need more resources to prevent behaviour problems getting to the stage where pupils have to be suspended or expelled, a parents’ leader has claimed.

The comments were made by Jim Moore, president of the Parents’ Association for Vocational Schools and Community Colleges (PAVSCC), whose annual conference takes place this weekend.

Changes to the 1998 Education Act are likely to come into effect next autumn, under a bill that is before the Oireachtas. One of the proposed amendments would mean committees hearing an appeal by a student suspended or expelled from school would be allowed for the first time to consider the serious nature of their behaviour and the health and safety of teachers and other students, as well as the educational rights of the student bringing the appeal.

But while this move to consider the wider school community has been welcomed by teachers and parents, Mr Moore said it should not be seen as the ultimate solution to behavioural problems in schools.

“All it is doing is moving the problem along, but we should be looking to deal with things before they get to this stage,” he said. “The professional services like psychologists, counselling and services outside the education system need to be properly resourced so the problems leading to suspensions or expulsion do not arise,” Mr Moore said.

But, he said, Education Minister Mary Hanafin must also address second-level class sizes to help prevent indiscipline disrupting proper learning.

Mr Moore referred to the 2002 McGuinness Report, which suggested the recruitment of 1,200 second-level teachers, as well as a recommendation of last year’s task force on student behaviour in second-level schools to reduce class sizes. This measure has been rejected as a solution by Ms Hanafin, who said it would not impact on discipline.

“It’s naive for anyone to say that if you reduce class size that every child would have a better opportunity to receive individual attention and better conditions,” Mr Moore said.

The PAVSCC represents parents of students at the 240 schools operated by the country’s 33 city and county Vocational Education Committees (VECs).

Mr Moore said that parents are anxious to see general increases in all aspects of State funding for education, amid fears that it is slipping down the list of Government priorities.