Crisis in School Leadership as Principals
Head for the Exits in Droves

Almost 700 school leaders have either retired or moved schools in the last two years, noted Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) President, Pat Goff at the IPPN Annual Deputy Principals’ Conference in Citywest Hotel, Dublin (Today, Thursday 13th May). The unprecedented exodus is creating a huge deficit in leadership experience in primary schools.

‘Considering that there are approximately 3,350 primary schools in the state, this is a frightening figure with more than one-in-five primary Principals having left the system in two years. This leadership drain will almost certainly stagnate our education system at Primary level and inhibit our ability to compete with our more progressive neighbours. More alarming is the growing reluctance of potential successors to apply for the position of Principal’ said Pat Goff. 

Research shows that this is due to untenable workload, inadequate administrative support and a lack of middle management structures. 

‘In the case of Deputy Principals, Ireland ‘bucks’ the international trend where few if any Deputy Principals will take on a Principals role.  This is due to the antiquated system whereby Principals and Deputies are paid on the same salary structure as teachers with an ‘allowance’ for their leadership role.  Because these allowances are linked to school size, most Deputy Principals would take a drop in total salary if they were to be appointed as a Principal in a smaller school.  The Department of Education & Skills (DES) has been aware of this anomaly for years and has failed to correct it during both benchmarking processes. This salary anomoly will continue to prevent Deputy Principals from seeking promotion’ continued the IPPN President.

Most recent research figures indicate that, on average, less than 2 candidates per position are applying for the post of Principal when it arises. In fact, the number of cases where there are absolutely no applications for what was once considered a desirable and influential position are increasing year-on-year.

Mr Goff stated 'that unless training, support and development of potential successors is prioritised, the entire fabric of our education system is at risk. The government has already scaled down its support for school leaders with some leadership development agencies abolished in a recent restructuring'.

The IPPN Annual Conference is currently the only leadership development opportunity available to aspiring leaders.