‘Principals carrying burden of collapsed pastoral care’

Principals now spend more time dealing with troubled students than troublesome ones as they carry the burden of collapsed pastoral supports at second level, the education minister was told yesterday.

The message was delivered by National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) president Padraig Flanagan, as he outlined the impact of a five-year ban on teacher promotions to middle-management roles, particularly the loss of year heads and special needs co-ordinators as holders of those posts retire.

“Mental health issues, eating disorders, bullying, self-harm, self-image, and sexual identity issues are everyday concerns in our schools,” said the principal of Castletroy College in Limerick said.