The Post-Primary Education Forum consists of members of the teacher trade unions, the management bodies, the NPCpp and the NAPD.  ACCS is represented on the PPEF by the General Secretary, Mr. Ciarán Flynn.

At the previous meeting on March 11th reports were received from the 6 regional meetings held for local committees and attended by members from the National Committee of PPEF.  Attendances were low but participation and interest from those attending was high.

Some of the major points arising were as follows: There should be a constant drip-down of information to schools coming from the National Committee.  To be successful PPEF should consider a major PR campaign with the possible use of a professional PR company to promote a response nationally, the message to parents should be simplified.  It was noted that schools are reluctant to highlight issues because they might suffer at enrolment.

Letters of thanks to all who attended were sent and an acknowledgement on the PPEF website also.  The actual presentations were to be forwarded to all PPEF members.

It was agreed to contact Bernardo's and St. Vincent de Paul to concentrate on the reinstatement of the Book Grant.  A meeting was being sought with the opposition spokespersons on Education to highlight issues and promote the role of the PPEF.  The loss of teachers from the system would certainly appear to be higher than that predicted by either the Minister or his officials - but hard to tie down actual figures.

Consideration was also given to the NAPD opportunity to PPEF at the recent National Symposium on March 5th.  The attendance and venue were both very good, 36 groups in Education responded.  Very poor coverage in the media was sadly noted.  Thanks were expressed to both NAPD and PPEF.