Principals and Deputy Principals left in droves in 2009

There has been a flood of resignations from primary schools with 661 principals retiring from the 3,300 schools nationwide since 2007 according to information revealed to Fine Gael Education Spokesman, Brian Hayes TD (see here).

The information received by Deputy Hayes also showed that principals left schools in droves in 2009 with over 321 retiring last year alone and that deputy principals also taking flight with over 500 retiring in three years.

“This flood of retirements is nothing short than top level teacher flight.

“There are 3,300 primary schools in the country but, according to Department of Education figures, over one-fifth of these saw principals retire in just the last three years (see table below). This dramatic departure rate is actually increasing with 10% of all principals, 321 in total, retiring in 2009 alone.

Table Showing Number of Primary School Principal Retirements, 2007-2009
Year Principal Retirements
2007 167
2008 173
2009 321
Total 661

“There are serious issues here relating to the loss of leadership and institutional knowledge and this now represents a real problem for the education sector. Apart from problems within schools, there will also be unexpected consequences for the Exchequer. Due to the nature of existing contracts, Brian Lenihan and Batt O’Keeffe will see millions upon millions paid out in severance packages not to mention increased pension payments.

“This problem has been greatly exacerbated by the similarly high rate of resignations at deputy principal level:

Table Showing Number of Primary School Deputy Principal Retirements, 2007-2009
Year Deputy Principal Retirements
2007 119
2008 113
2009 269
Total 501

“The fact that so many wish to leave the education sector at principal and deputy level follows hot on the heels of news that assistant principals are also leaving schools. Ultimately, the real losers will be students and the taxpayer.”