INTO PRESIDENT Angela Dunne has called on Mary Hanafin to emulate former minister for education Donogh O'Malley and stand up to Brian Cowen, the Minister for Finance, on the issue of overcrowded classes in primary schools. SEÁN FLYNN, Education Editor, in Kilkenny
Addressing the opening session of the Irish National Teachers Organisation conference yesterday, she pointed to increasing disciplinary problems in primary schools.
She said comedian Des Bishop had done more for the Irish language than the Minister had.
Ms Dunne said Ms Hanafin had the moral backing of all teachers and parents to take action to reduce the size of Irish primary school classes.
"If such action isn't taken, then it is obvious that this generation of Fianna Fáil politicians are only paying lip service to the memory of former minister for education Donogh O'Malley and failing to build on his legacy," she told the union's annual congress in Kilkenny.
Ms Dunne said Fianna Fáil never failed to refer to the fact that O'Malley took the bold step 40 years ago of introducing free post-primary education.
"Yet," she said, "none of his successors today has the courage to take the bold steps that are needed to reduce the size of Ireland's overcrowded classes."
Ms Dunne acknowledged additional support for special education, newcomer children and educational disadvantage, but she said what was expected of the primary teacher could not be delivered in overcrowded classes.
On discipline, Ms Dunne said a small group of children in most primary schools were making life a misery for their teachers and classmates.
Addressing the 750 teachers at the conference, she said it was time that emphasis was placed on the role of parents in the management of those children's behaviour.
"For too long, this small minority of parents have failed to accept that they have any responsibility for the behaviour of their children when they are in school."
She said schools were still waiting for advice and guidelines from the National Education Welfare Board promised since its establishment.
According to Ms Dunne there must also be an acceptance that a single incident of gross misconduct, such as assault of another pupil or a teacher, may constitute grounds for suspension.
"A full class of primary school pupils should not be held to ransom by a single Bugsy Malone," she said.
The INTO president also criticised the Minister's decision to ban immersion education in Irish language primary schools (gaelscoileanna).
Ms Dunne said that at a time when the language required every possible support, it was incredible that the Minister would move to outlaw one of the successful innovations in Irish education.
She said far from banning the practice, Ms Hanafin should be encouraging innovation in education. "Des Bishop has done more recently to promote the Irish language than the education minister," she said.
She said the decision of the Minister to send a letter to schools on the issue was overturning a long established practice in gaelscoileanna. "This decision angered and amazed teachers," she said.
"In doing so the Minister has ignored the advice of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment on this matter," said Ms Dunne.