The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced persons for positions on Boards of State Bodies and Agencies under the aegis of his Department where vacancies will occur up to 1st April 2012.
Vacancies will occur on the boards of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), the State Examinations Commission (SEC) and the Teaching Council.
The Minister said: "This is an opportunity for suitably qualified and experienced members of the public to play an active role in the education sector by influencing and shaping the policy direction of the State Bodies and Agencies under the aegis of my Department."
Expressions of interest will be sought from time to time to fill vacancies that will arise during 2012 on other Boards of State Bodies and Agencies under the aegis of the Department of Education and Skills.
The Department’s website, www.education.ie, and the Public Appointments Service’s website, www.publicjobs.ie, will advertise board vacancies as they arise.
Notes for the Editor:
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
The NCCA was established as a non-statutory body in 1987 and as a statutory body in July 2001 under part 4 of the Education Act 1998. The role of the NCCA is to advise the Minister for Education and Skills in matters relating to the curriculum for early childhood education, primary and post-primary schools and the assessment procedures employed in schools and examinations on subjects that are part of the curriculum.
The role of the Council includes:
engaging in consultations with a wide range of stakeholders on curriculum and assessment issues,
working closely with a network of schools/early education providers in developing proposals,
undertaking research and participating in national and international educational networks, and keeping abreast of good practice,
advising on curriculum and assessment policy,
developing and reviewing curricula and preparing guidelines for teachers,
supporting and advising on continuing professional development needs of teachers,
having regard to the needs of industry and the economy and society in reviewing and advising on ongoing reform.
Three members are sought to serve on the Council, one of whom will be appointed as Chairperson. Two of the members will be appointed by Government on the nomination of the Minister for Education and Skills. The other member will be nominated by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to represent the early childhood education sector.
Travelling and subsistence allowances will be paid in respect of journeys undertaken to attend meetings of the Board or to transact its business.
State Examinations Commission
The State Examinations Commission (SEC) is an independent public service body under the aegis of the Department of Education and Skills, established under Sections 54 of the Education Act 1998 and SI 373 of 2003. (See www.irishstatutebook.ie)
The SEC receives State funding of the order of €54.7m annually and raises additional funds through examination fees. It currently has a staff of 156 headed by a Chief Executive Officer.
The Commission has responsibility for the operation and delivery of the certificate examinations (Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate, and a range of other technological/trade examinations), subject to the policy direction of the Minister for Education and Skills. It also works closely with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment which is responsible for the development of syllabuses and advising on assessment arrangements for the Junior and Leaving Certificate programmes. The NCCA develops guidelines and sample questions when a new subject is being introduced or an existing syllabus revised, and the State Examinations Commission assumes responsibility for the production of sample papers and the setting and assessment of examinations. The operation and delivery of the certificate examinations takes place to immutable deadlines and is subject to very significant political and public scrutiny.
In accordance with the terms of the Establishment Order the functions of the Commission will be to:
Organise the holding of examinations,
Ensure the preparation of examination papers and other examination materials,
Determine procedures in places where examinations are conducted, including the supervision of examinations,
Make arrangements for the marking of work presented for examination,
Issue the results of examinations,
Determine procedures to enable the review and appeal of results at the request of candidates,
Charge and collect fees for examinations and apply such monies to the carrying out of its functions,
Designate places where examinations may be held.
Five members are sought to serve on the Commission, one of whom will be appointed as Chairperson and another as Deputy Chairperson.
Members are entitled to claim travel and subsistence allowances in accordance with approved public sector rates.
The Teaching Council
The Teaching Council is the professional regulatory body for teaching in Ireland. It was established by statute in March 2006.
The Teaching Council's main functions include the following:
To regulate the teaching profession and the professional conduct of teachers,
To promote teaching as a profession,
To establish and promote the improvement of standards of programmes of teacher education and teaching knowledge, skills and competence,
To promote the continuing professional development of teachers,
To establish and maintain a register of teachers,
Five of the members are appointed by the Minister, including persons with experience in business, industry or the professions. Of these, two are to be nominated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Irish Business and Employers’ Confederation.
Members are entitled to claim travel and subsistence allowances in accordance with approved public sector rates.