STRATEGIES for overcoming barriers to promotion for the female teacher are to be the subject of a study to be carried out by the Centre for Studies in Gender and Education in the University of Limerick.

Of the new principals appointed to secondary/community schools in 1994, 81 per cent were men. Of these, four male principals were appointed to all-girls secondary schools. These figures represent what the ASTI describes as a "continuing and unwelcome trend, namely the decreasing number of women being appointed to principalships".

Women are not applying for principalships in numbers proportionate to the number of women in teaching positions. But, to blame the scarcity of women principals on the lack of women applicants is perhaps to focus on the symptom rather than the cause.

The researcher at UL would like to hear from teachers who have applied for a principalship or who have thought about it and then decided not to pursue a career in educational management.

The survey will examine women's attitudes to promotion, barriers they have experienced, how they overcame these barriers or worked around them and whether they have changed their, expectations as a result. All replies will be treated in confidence. If you'd like to help, contact the Centre for Studies in Gender and Education at the University of Limerick, (061) 333644 extension 2691.