Changes brought about through Croke Park II could impact the number of school activities children are able to take part in, it has been suggested.

In a letter to Education Minister Ruairi Quinn, the Joint Managerial Body (JMB) warned the extra-curricular programme for pupils could be significantly reduced due to a lack of substitution cover for teachers, the Irish Independent reports.

According to the JMB, the Croke Park II changes could result in schools not having enough teachers to offer substitution cover on Thursdays and Fridays of each week.

Problems are also likely to emerge during the final two months of the school year - a time when teachers may have filled their annual quota for supervision and substitution hours.

Ferdia Kelly, general secretary of the JMB - which represents management in many secondary schools across Ireland - also warned that principals will be placed under greater pressure as salary cuts cause experienced staff to quit their posts, while others may be less keen to take up senior positions.

Mr Kelly stated: "Regrettably the education system will be the poorer for this loss and the pupils currently in schools and Irish society at large will be the losers."

Written by Donal Walsh

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