School principals ‘illegally working 50 hours a week’

SECONDARY school principals are being illegally forced to work more than 50 hours a week, a school management leader claimed yesterday.

Noel Merrick, president of the Joint Managerial Body (JMB) which represents the boards of 400 second level schools, said principals face an intolerable burden of financial accountability, developing policies, meeting legal requirements and dealing with needs of students, staff and buildings.

He said such a variety of demands is not met in any other job and made reference to the nursing unions’ claim for a reduced working week for their members.