Headteachers of secondary schools have raised concerns that the implementation of the free schoolbook scheme may not be achieved by the upcoming September term due to an absence of essential supports for a complex purchasing procedure. Education Minister Norma Foley recently promised that over 200,000 lower secondary students, from years seven to nine, would receive gratis textbooks and electronic books from the subsequent autumn term. This new plan could result in annual savings of approximately £300 for parents.
Nevertheless, the National Association of Principals and Deputies (NAPD), the representative body for secondary school leaders, disclosed that 83% of its member survey respondents felt support and detailed information were lacking. The NAPD commended the Department of Education’s considerable efforts in aiding schools with the program’s implementation, but pointed out that the intricate procurement procedure posed a significant hurdle. Confidence in their institution’s ability to successfully introduce the program by September was expressed by only 36% of the respondents.
The respondents indicated that the procedure required the preparation of tender papers for purchases over £50,000, experience in the etenders process, bid evaluation, supplier relationship management, budget allocation management, and audit and compliance evaluation readiness. According to the NAPD, the entire process was time-consuming, and with September fast approaching, the implementation timeline was getting tight.
The association’s director, Paul Crone, noted that the procedure added to the workload of principals and took them away from interacting with pupils, their families, and the broader school district. He said: “We have consistently stressed the mounting administrative burden being placed on headteachers. Numerous administrative tasks involving finances, procurement, HR, health, safety and facilities management are pulling headteachers away from the truly critical task of engaging with their pupils.”
The Department of Education replied acknowledging that, as the first year of a significantly new policy initiative, there might be initial hiccups. They further announced their commitment to provide a financial assistance grant for administration to schools for the 2024-2025 academic year in order to hire individuals to undertake administrative duties for the programme.
Each secondary school is given 10, 13, or 16 days, determined by their lower secondary student registration numbers. Schools are required by both European and domestic public procurement laws to procure goods and services, which have been in place for several years. A total of 246 schools within the education and training board structure can utilise procurement support in their respective boards. The ministry recognised that some voluntary, group and thorough secondary schools may have limited exposure in public procurement where the sum exceeded a specific limit.
Post-Easter, the ministry pledged to provide extra resources and support in a accessible format to these schools to help them meet these obligations. Yet, additional administrative backing is needed to ensure the initiative’s success, Mr. Crone argued, because the procurement process’s responsibility lies solely with the headteacher. He expressed that headteachers wish it to be operational for the beginning of the academic year in September, but many schools are unsure if this will happen.
He has therefore called upon the Education Minister, Norma Foley, to seriously contemplate providing professional administrative support to secondary schools. This, he suggests, would alleviate burgeoning admin strains and enable headteachers to devote more of their attention to their students.