Complaining about a teacher

Following our article about how to talk to teachers (E&L November 10th), the INTO contacted E&L to point out that a procedure for dealing with complaints by parents against teachers was agreed between the INTO and the Catholic Primary School Managers Association in 1993.

Although the procedure is under review in light of the requirements of the Education Bill, currently being debated in the Dail, it has been in operation for a number of years. It mandates a step-by-step approach to complaints by parents, from talking to the teacher, then the principal and, eventually, the chair of a school's board of management. Your child's school should be able to provide you with the details of the procedure.