The leader of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation has warned that the introduction of a new primary school curriculum will be ineffective unless in-service training and other related provisions are brought in with it. Senator Joe O'Toole told the INTO principals' conference in Waterford that the new curriculum could be the most significant development in Irish primary education for 30 years.
However, to be effective it needed at least five days' annual in-service training per teacher; the development of a national school caretaker and secretarial service; continuing training for principals; an extensive building programme to replace all substandard classrooms; and the elimination of all unqualified teachers.
Mr O'Toole said the INTO was setting up a special committee to advise on the best way to implement in-service training for principals who would be in charge of the new curriculum. It would work parallel to the Department of Education's new Commission on Principals, announced last week.