Primary schools have been governed by boards of management since 1975. The Education Act 1998 puts the system on a statutory basis and sets out the responsibilities of the boards. The composition of the board of management reflects an agreement between school patrons, national associations of parents, school management organisations,teacher representatives and the Minister for Education and Science.
The board is appointed by the patron. In making appointments, the patron must comply with Ministerial directions about gender balance.
Functions of the board
The board’s main function is to manage the school on behalf of the patron and for the benefit of the students and to provide an appropriate education for each student at the school.
In carrying out its functions, the board must
- Act in accordance with Ministerial policy
- Uphold the ethos of the school and be accountable to the patron for this. The word ethos is not used in the Education Act 1998. It is described in the Act as the “characteristic spirit of the school as determined by the cultural, educational, moral, religious, social, linguistic and spiritual values and traditions which inform and are characteristic of the objectives and conduct of the school”.
- Act in accordance with the law and with any deed, charter, or similar instrument relating to the school.
- Consult with and inform the patron of decisions and proposals
- Publish the school’s policy on admission to and participation in the school, including its policy on expulsion and suspension of students, admission and participation by students with disabilities or with other special educational needs
- Ensure that the school’s admissions policy respects the choices of parents and the principles of equality and that it complies with Ministerial directions, having regard to the school ethos and the constitutional rights of all concerned
- Have regard for the principles and requirements of a democratic society and promote respect for the diversity of values, beliefs, traditions, languages and ways of life in our society
- Have regard to the efficient use of resources (particularly the grants provided by the state), the public interest in the affairs of the school and accountability to students, parents and the community
- Use the resources provided by the state to make reasonable provision and accommodation for students with disabilities or special needs, including, if necessary, the adaptation of buildings or provision of special equipment
How boards of management operate
The role and method of operation of boards of management of primary schools was agreed by the Department of Education and Science, the school managers, parents and teachers in 2003. The Constitution of Boards and Rules of Procedures (2007) set out the principles on which it is based:
- Governance structures for schools should respond to the diversity of school types, ownership and management structures that is the central feature of the structure of Irish education at primary level.
- Governance structures should reflect the plurality of Irish society, including the rights and needs of minority groups.
- The composition of boards should reflect and promote participation and partnership in the running of schools among patrons/trustees/owners/governors, parents, teachers and the wider community.
- The composition and operation of boards of management should reflect and promote public accountability to the immediate community served by the school and to the state as the predominant source of funding for schools.
- The recognition of the responsibility of patrons/trustees/owners/governors to maintain and promote a distinctive ethos in their schools and to ensure the practical means to discharge this responsibility.
- Board practice should facilitate and promote commitment by parents to the affairs of the school and the functioning of an effective parents’ association.
- The Rules also frequently refer to the need to communicate with parents and staff and the school community, for example, they state that the board “shall pursue a policy of openness and have a positive approach to sharing information with the school community”.
- The board must have a procedure for informing parents about its activities – this could include an annual report.
Who is on the board?
The composition of the board of management for schools is:
- Two direct nominees of the patron
- Two parents of children enrolled in the school (one mother and one father) elected by the parents
- The principal
- One other teacher elected by the teaching staff
- Two extra members agreed by the representatives of the patron, teachers and parents.
There are certain criteria set out for choosing the 2 community representatives on the board of management.
- The people appointed must have a commitment to the ethos of the school. In the case of Catholic schools, they must have an understanding of and commitment to Catholic education as outlined in the Deed of Trust for Catholic Schools.
- They must have skills that are complementary to the board’s requirements
- They must be interested in education but normally should not be parents of students currently attending the school or teachers currently on the staff
- The need to maintain a gender balance must be a consideration
- The patron appoints the chairman of the board, usually the local parish priest in the case of Catholic schools.
The Rules set out in detail how the parents’ representatives are to be chosen, including the notice to be given to all parents, how replacements are chosen, etc.
In general, members of the board may not hold any interest in the school property or get paid for serving on the board. The Education Act 1998 explicitly clarifies that being on the board does not confer any property interest on a board member. Employees, other than the teacher representatives, may not be on the board.
Class Teachers