Madam, - I was alarmed to read in your edition of October 4th that school principals may be given the power to decide when a teacher has not performed to a sufficient level. I share the view held by the teacher unions on this matter.
What caused me even more concern was that it appears the Minister has ploughed ahead with this proposal without consulting the Irish Primary Principals' Network. This shows she has not done all her homework on this serious issue.
Performance management of teachers is not and should never be the role of principals. They have heavy workloads and should not be placed in a situation that could lead to antagonism among staff. The Minister's proposal is open to abuse, will undoubtedly foster resentment and may be counterproductive in terms of standards. The only persons qualified to evaluate the performance of teachers are independent assessors who have studied and taught the relevant subjects.
l am aware that the problem of underperforming teachers needs to be addressed but this proposal is not the way to rectify the problem. - Yours, etc,
TERENCE FLANAGAN TD (Dublin North East), Dáil Éireann, Dublin 2.
Madam, - If school principals are to be entrusted with the assessment of under-performing teachers, who will assess under-performing principals? - Yours etc,
SEAN McDONALD, Harolds Cross Road, Dublin 6w.