Plans to introduce cuts to guidance councillor provision in secondary schools has been criticised by a principal who claimed the move will be damaging in the long term.

Speaking at the ASTI seminar for principals and deputy principals, the committee's chairperson John O'Donovan accused the Department of Education and Skills of playing down the impact of the Budget 2012.

He alleged the supposed move to allow school leaders greater freedom to allocate staff is merely "forcing them to choose between reduced curriculum choice or reducing vital guidance provision for students".

Mr O'Donovan claimed the government's plans will see schools stripped of "key" staff, which will change the type of education service delivered and have extensive repercussions in the future.

Elsewhere, incoming GAA president Liam O'Neill told the Leinster Express that an appeals process to save small primary schools from cuts is likely to only delay the inevitable.

It was suggested teachers will still end up being forced out of positions, only this will occur next September rather than this year.

Written by Donal Walsh

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