Schools told not to reduce tuition time

Schools could face serious consequences if they send students home early or cancel classes because of cuts in staffing, the Department of Education has warned.

It said Ruairi Quinn, the education minister, is concerned at unconfirmed reports that secondary schools have chosen to deprive students of tuition time.

About 800 jobs have been cut from the 720 secondary schools by the inclusion of guidance counselling into overall teacher allocations this year, forcing schools to decide between less guidance provision, reduced subject choices, larger classes or a mix of those measures.