Appointment of Principal Teachers
Introduction
The following criteria for the eligibility for appointment to principal teacher apply to all appointments advertised on or after 1st May, 2002.
Eligibility Criteria for Appointment as Principal to ordinary Primary Schools
To be deemed eligible to apply for the post of principal teacher in ordinary primary schools with less than 80 pupils, applicants must certify in their application to the board of management that they:
- Are qualified primary teachers (The applicant should include a copy of qualifications), and
- Have satisfactorily completed probation.
To be deemed eligible to apply for the post of principal teacher in ordinary primary schools with 80 pupils or greater, applicants must comply with the conditions as stated above, and in addition have given not less than five years qualified wholetime teaching service, two of which must be in a recognised primary school in the Republic of Ireland.
Service in recognised post-primary schools within the Republic or in a primary school or post-primary school outside Ireland may be reckoned towards service provided this service was reckonable for incremental credit.
A board of management may request an applicant for a post to submit his/ her latest inspection report and proof of the award of incremental credit where applicable.
Eligibility Criteria for Appointment as Principal to Special Schools.
To be deemed eligible to apply for the post of principal teacher in special schools, applicants must certify in their application to the board of management that they:
- are fully qualified primary teachers or have been awarded Restricted Recognition under the terms of Circular 25/00 (The applicant should include a copy of qualifications);
- have satisfactorily completed probation; and
- have a minimum of 5 years' qualified whole time teaching service, two of which must be in a recognised primary school within the Republic of Ireland.
Service in a primary school or a post-primary school outside the Republic of Ireland may be reckoned towards service provided this service was reckonable for incremental credit.
Post primary teachers are also eligible to apply for appointment to Special Schools in which children are enrolled up to the age of 18 years of age including High Support Units, Young Offender Units and Youth Encounter Projects if they comply with the requirements as outlined above, and in such schools a proportion of the pupils attending the special school are of post-primary age and where second level programmes, such as Junior Cert Elementary Programme or Leaving Cert Applied programme are being provided. The applicant must have a minimum of 5 years' qualified wholetime teaching service, two of which must be in a recognised primary or post-primary school within the Republic of Ireland.
A board of management may request an applicant for a post to submit his/ her latest inspection report and proof of the award of incremental credit where applicable.
Change in the Procedures for the Assessment of Eligibility of Applicants for Principal
The procedure for the appointment of principal teacher as outlined in Section 3 A (iii) and (iv) of the Boards of Management of National Schools – Constitution of Boards and Rules of Procedures (2000 edition) has been amended as outlined below.
There is no longer a requirement for the chairperson to forward details of applicants to the Department of Education and Skills to assess their eligibility under Rule 76 of the Rules for National Schools. Instead, applicants for the post of principal teacher are requested to provide the information as outlined above. The selection board shall ensure that the candidate nominated for appointment is fully qualified and meets the eligibility criteria.
A board of management may, if it considers necessary, request a candidate nominated for the post of principal to provide a certificate of fitness (from a qualified medical practitioner) prior to being formally offered the post.
Notification of Successful Candidate
The procedure for the appointment of teachers, including principals, as outlined in Section 5 (xi) and of the Boards of Management of National Schools – Constitution of Boards and Rules of Procedures (2000 edition) has also been amended as set out below.
There is no longer a requirement for the chairperson of the board of management to receive the prior sanction of the Minister for Education and Skills for the appointment of the successful candidate before s/he is notified. The requirement to seek the prior approval of the patron still remains. After receiving the approval of the patron, the chairperson of the board of management should notify the successful candidate. The successful candidate should be advised that the offer is subject to the sanction of the Minister. As soon as the board has received notification of the teacher’s acceptance of the post, all unsuccessful candidates should be notified.
Both the successful candidate and the chairperson should complete the relevant application form and forward same to the Primary Payments Section of the Department of Education and Skills. If the post is warranted and the chairperson of the board certifies that the teacher has met the criteria, and the appointment has been made in accordance with the procedures outlined in Boards of Management of National Schools – Constitution of Boards and Rules of Procedures the Minister for Education and Skills will sanction the appointment.