There have been fresh calls for changes to be made to the administration of the free schoolbooks scheme, allowing for its members to focus on more pressing administrative tasks.
These calls have been made by the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD), an organisation which represents those working in the secondary schools sector, where they said that the majority of its members are overwhelmed by the textbook initiative at present.
They have claimed that the administration of this initiative has created a "major burden", distracting from other aspects of the job.
The NAPD released its findings at its annual conference in Galway, which included reports that almost three quarters are unhappy to continue managing the scheme in its current state.
While they still support the scheme, principals and deputies have said that the onus should not be put on the individual schools to manage. They would favour a system which would enable them to outsource or change how the textbooks are allocated.
Brian Doran, President of the NAPD, has said that the logistics of running this scheme have had less time to give their "core business" of working with and supporting students. He said that this was particularly evident when it was considered alongside the research from the Economic and Social Research Institute on school attendance.
The President went on to add that principals and deputies needed to create a positive culture in their schools, which makes students feel welcomed. He said that teachers were being occupied with administrative tasks, compromising their abilities to create this positive culture.
He pointed to additional pressures placed on principals and deputies, including, managing the procurement, stock, returns and distribution of schoolbooks.
The organisation have said that these problems were compounded by changes to the syllabus, and new addition of textbooks.
They have called on the Department of Education to develop a much more centralised or externally supported system, which they have said needs to include sufficient administration funding and clearer procurement guidance, as well as provision for digital devices and licences.
This matter is set to be discussed at the three day conference in Galway, which continues today. Minister for Education Hildergarde Naughton is expected to give an address to delegates tomorrow morning. (Quotes according to RTÉ).
