TBH:I am a principal of a primary school. We are in the same parish as two other primary schools. For years, parents at my school have complained that the schools don't all take holidays on the same days. There are many days that we have to take together (major holidays) but there are 'discretionary days' that the schools themselves choose from the calendar. It's very awkward for those parents who have children in different schools. Each year I am asked why these days cannot be co-ordinated and I cannot give a satisfactory answer.

The truth is, the staff have an input into which days to close the school. We as principals tend not to co-operate with each other on the issue because it’s too difficult to organise when each staff member in each school has to have their say.

I think this situation throws up two issues that need to be explored by the Department. Firstly, it’s hard to justify the practice of letting staff choose discretionary days rather than management. It is a situation I have tried to renegotiate at my own school but there is such resistance from the staff that I have backed off. It would be much easier if the Department of Education and Skills simply took the power from the schools and standardised the days across the system, or at least within localities.

The second, and more significant issue, is the lack of co-ordination between local schools on matters like this. There is a culture of ‘every school for itself’ and no real encouragement or support for schools to share resources and get their heads together on a range of issues.

Small schools are under threat around the country but if there was a bit more sharing of resources and more co-operation between management and principals it would save money. It would also do away with the scenario that sees sovereign schools duplicating certain functions and refusing to apply common, and communal, sense on others.

I’m sure there are schools in the country that have productive local relationships but if they do, they are bucking a systemic culture of school autonomy on practical management issues that are not intrinsic to the successful education of children.

Meanwhile, when it comes to education, rules are handed down around what can be taught, when and by whom. This situation leaves principals like me unable to take the lead on education, while we are bogged down in too much independent management, from choosing days off to drafting policies.

There are some powers I just don’t need.

This column is designed to give a voice to those within the education system who wish to speak out anonymously. Contributions are welcome. Email sflynn@irishtimes.com