Title: The General Synod Board of Education (RI)
Author: Michael Graham
Company: Drogheda Union of Parishes

The General Synod Board of Education (RI).
Seconded by Canon Desmond Harman
Your Grace
In seconding the Report of the General Synod Board of education I would like to refer briefly to five items:
•	Change in Education in the Republic
•	The role of Principal in National Schools
•	The new National School Curriculum
•	The new Religious Education Programme at Primary Level
•	Safeguarding Trust.
Changes in Education
In recent years it has become normal to refer to the past year in education as a time of development and change. This yew has clearly followed in the pattern but the speed of change has increased Reflects the on-going developments in society. Schools are experiencing an enrolment which is not merely pluralist but multi-ethnic and furthermore where the children reflect the mores and strains of a sometimes dysfunctional society. This brings pressures on schools, staff and boards of management.
We have seen the baton pass from Mr Micheal Martin to Dr. Michael Woods as Minister for Education and Science. Mr Martin had given an impetus and vision to educational developments and Dr Woods has the task of ensuring there are sufficient resources within the Department and the schools to oversee and support the implementation of these initiatives,
The Chairman Archbishop Empey and some members of the Board recently met Dr Woods and the Secretary General and took the opportunity to express appreciation for recent developments and increased funding and to express concerns regarding particular issues which impinge on our schools. These issues are indicated in the report.
Role of Principals.
At Primary level there has been much concern about the stress borne by the principal who has both a full teaching task and also the responsibility, now enshrined in legislation, for day to day management as well as leadership within the school. This pressure and stress appears to be a key factor in the drastic reduction in the number of applicants for principalships. As most national schools under Church of Ireland and other Protestant patronage fall into the category of teaching principal it is of great concern to this Board and to those who serve on Boards of Management. The situation was highlighted effectively by a working party set up by the Department and it is reassuring that the process of implementing the recommendations has begun. The Board welcomes the concept of release time for principals but is gravely concerned that the lack of qualified substitutes will hinder the implementation of this release time. The form and amount of release time will need to be looked at creatively if it is to be of significant help to schools for it is a whole school issue. The Board is also concerned that strategies must be put in place by Boards of Management to ensure that pressure on principals is reduced through effective sharing and delegation by staff and board members without interfering with the central role of the principal. Without such strategies stress and consequent ill health could become a health and safety issue, not to mention the possible deterioration in the quality of education in our primary schools,
New Primary Curriculum.
There has been a widespread welcome for the new general Primary school curriculum. The sight of 23 books in their container is a daunting sight and points to the incredible level of change envisaged. This is supported by on going in service training and we welcome the professional approach of the Department and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and the openness of teachers to these innovations.
At a time when the image of teachers is under attack it is important to stress our recognition of the commitment and professionalism of our teaching staffs. This goes far beyond classroom duties and is exemplified by those in the profession who serve on our board or represent us on advisory or working parties. We particularly note the willing participation of so many teachers in the Primary RE, Curriculum.
New Religious Education Programme
Primary RE is a concern for the whole church so that the children who attend school should have the opportunity to engage in an experiential way with the Christian faith but are enabled to do so in a way which both acknowledges and affirms the beliefs of individual families. In this context it is appropriate to list the aims of the programme:
•	To develop a knowledge and understanding of beliefs, worship and witness of the Christian Faith, and in particular of the Church of Ireland.
•	To explore the biblical witness to God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
•	To develop the pupil’s own religious beliefs, values and practices through a process of personal search and discovery.
•	To develop an awareness of and sensitivity towards those of other faiths and none.
This programme has the commitment and involvement of our colleagues of the Methodist and Presbyterian boards of education and has received wonderful co-operation, displayed with great generosity, from the Roman Catholic Commission on catechetics and their publishing imprint Veritas.
Some initial piloting is ongoing and a more detailed pilot study will begin in the autumn for the infant material. More schools will be added to the process in the near future.
The development of Religious Education at the Secondary Level and the introduction of Religious Education as a subject in state examinations in the Republic is to be welcomed and will be considered under the Secondary Education Committee Report.
Mention has been made, by the proposer, of developments in the safeguarding Trust Programme. The Report refers to the developments in the Republic as a result of legislative changes and the publication of national guidelines, The narrowing of the focus with regard to reporting should allay fears previously expressed. Briefings are being held with the clergy of each diocese and training for youth leaders and others involved in the Ministry to Children will commence in the autumn. This Code of good practice is concerned with the protection of children and workers who use parish premises or attend parish events and the normal pastoral care for the children in the parish community will continue to be exercised by clergy as has always been done.
It is vital that clergy and Select Vestries recognise their responsibility for implementing Safeguarding Trust. ‘they must ‘own’ this programme.
Safety is also an issue for schools and the survey referred to in the report has pointed to a number of issues which some schools will need to address. The welcome widening in scope of the Minor Capital works grant and the increased level of grant will allow schools to review the safety of their premises and sites and to deal promptly with areas of concern.
Finally it is important to highlight the need for every school to budget and keep proper accounts which, in accordance with the Education Act, must be certified by a practising accountant from next year.
Your Grace, I second the adoption of this report.