This week marks the end of the holidays and the return to school for thousands of children at both primary and post-primary level. The standardised school year means that virtually all schools are returning at the same time. Advertisements placed by the Department of Eduction and Science in recent days also give details of forthcoming mid-term, Christmas and Easter breaks.
The Minister for Education and Science, Mr Dempsey, has taken a great deal of flak for introducing the common school year. His decision to send in inspectors to check on schools in the days before Christmas last year unleashed a storm of protest from the teacher unions.
While such action may have been insensitive, few fair-minded people would deny the benefits of the new, standardised school year. The old system where different schools opted to take different holiday periods was hugely inconvenient, especially for working parents. Parents are entitled to as much advance notice as possible about school closures.
They are also entitled to expect that schools will respect the integrity of the school year. Primary schools are obliged to be open for 181 days per year, second level schools must be open for 167 days. Some schools took what one might charitably call a flexible approach to these requirements, until the new regulations were introduced last year. Schools were often closed for all sorts of reasons with little advance notice to parents.
The standardised school year has succeeded in transforming this chaotic situation. Mr Dempsey deserves credit for pushing through a progressive measure, and one which helps parents to cope with the realities of modern day living.
Mr Dempsey himself has been the subject of much speculation in recent weeks. There have been suggestions that he may be moved from his post in the forthcoming Cabinet reshuffle. He has been criticised for what is seen by some as his inept handling of issues like third-level fees and primary school testing.
Mr Dempsey has let it be known he would like to remain in his post. Certainly, his record is more impressive than some of his detractors would have one believe. He has restored industrial peace to the classroom after the long and bitter ASTI dispute. He has made real progress in tackling the scandal of sub-standard school buildings, something generously acknowledged by the INTO. He has raised challenging questions about the future funding of third-level education and about the inequality at the heart of our education system.
Who should pay for a "world-class" third-level sector which will drive the knowledge economy? What should we be doing for the 30 per cent of students from poorer backgrounds who suffer from serious literacy problems?
The Taoiseach must shortly decide whether Mr Dempsey should continue his work in Marlborough Street. In assessing the Minister's report card, Mr Ahern will have much to consider.