150 tal-1990

L.N. ISO 0( 1990

EDUCATI ON ACT, 1\t88

(ACT NO XX IV 010' 1988)

IN eJ[crcisc orlhe powers conferred by 5CCtion 45 m ine EduClltion

Act, 1988 the Miobler of Education and the Interior, has made the

following regulations:-

I. These regu lations may be cited as the 1990 National Minimum

Conditions for all Schools and shall come ;nlocffect as from the IsI Jan-

uary , l991.

'The National Minimum Condi tions, for all SdlOOls, for the

purpose ofscction S of the Education A ct. 1988. shall he those: SC t out in

lhe Schedule 10 these regulations.

SCHEDU LE

National MinlmLlm Condlfioml for iUl Scboob

1. Gmof ....

1. 1 SchooL premises must be suiled Iu the type and level of education provided.

1.2 Th ey should be well venlilated, protected fro m heat, cold and humidity,

well lighted and with nalural ligh t and with sui tably high ceilings.

1.3 They must be kept clean, well maintained and in good structural roodilion.

They must be free of hazards 10 sa fety and good health .

1.4

1.5 Schools accommodat ing mo re th;m 7 dllSSe$ o n a fu ll-time basis and for

$Iudents of compulsory Kbool age must be purposely b u;11 as a KbooI and are 10 contain

the n~ry out-door space for the children's recreation.

1.6 Space and classrooms mUSI not be crnmmed hu t lhere should be room for

moveme nt.

1.7 Classrooms are to ha"e pn e nlranee on to a main corridor; the movemen t of

pupils through other classes is to be avoided .

1.8 School entrances and exitlO!\ 10 main roads.re to have prolC"Ctivt barriers to

avoid acciden ts.

1.9 Where the number of students exceeds li rty o f an age below Soillleen. a traffic

sign indicating the prese nce of a ioChool ;s to be affixed us dircrted by the Poli ce.

1. 10

School premisesaresub)ecl to inspcclion by t-Iealt h Inspeclonal any t ime .

1. 1 I Schools IKlWiCd in private premises are oot to cause inronvenience 10

neighbours.

1. 12 Schools are open to inspection b ~ Educatio n Department officia ls at a n ~

ti me.

Classroom Splice

2.1 The numberofsluden ls up tocompuboryschoolage, in an~oneclass is not to

exceed 30.

2. 2 In deciding the numbe r of students that can be accomodated in an ~ o nc

cl a$sroom;

2.2.1

a border, 2 metres wide, is to be left free as teacher·s space.

2.2.2. a working space of I IJz square metres is 10 be allowed for each pupil

over th e age of 5 ~ears.

2.2.3 a working space o f 1112 sq uare melres may be allowed in the casc of

childre n unde r 5 years of age, provided that there also exists an indoo r playing

and movement area for children. Otherwise classes will nol exceed 20 children

in num be r and 3 square metres are to be a llDlted for each child in the classroom.

2.2.4 In the case of adults over compulsory school age and evening classes.

a minimum o f I square metre can be allotted for each st udent nol engaged in

la borato r~ or worksh op work.

2.3

The standard size of a classroom is to be 8 metres squa re.

IAboralories, WOf"kshops , elc.

3. 1 The number of students in any labora tory, workshop or non-class area, in

a school is to be related to the size of the space and the usc to which it is put.

3.2 Minimum accommoda tio n requireme nts are 2 square metres pe r student

exclusive of teacher's space and furniture/mach ine ry space.

3.3 The maximum number of students allowed in any workshop using craft

mach inery is 20.

3.4 Laboratories and worluhops should be equi pped with adequa te safety

mCa$ures such as fum e-cupboa rds. fire-exti nguishers. a fi rst aid-box and electric circuit

breakers . Dangerous equipment and mate rials , tools and (ot he r aids) which present

a hazard 10 health and safety should be under the direct conl rol of the teacher and

properl ~ stored. Machines 3re to have th e necessary safegua rds and instructio ns on

their proper use.

3.5 Whe n dangerous malerial and eq uipm ent arc necessarily to be kept in a

laboratory or workshop the danger is to be clearl~ indicated.

3.6 Rooms used as theatres for the productio n of p la~s. the exhibition of film s.

etc. 10 large groups of students are to be eq uipped with the necessary fire-c:u inguishen

and properl y indicated exilS.

B ,.,

3.1 Laboratories, workshops, school theatres etc. aresubjecl to inspet:tion bylhe

proper authorities and IITC ooulld 10 comply with existing regulations.

ToUe! facililifl!l

4.1

Schools are 10 have toilet facilities at the rate of I toilet per 35 pupils.

4.2 Schools which cater for the part-ti me/evening educat ion afadult students are

to be adequately supplied with a minimum of two toilets and an additional toilet for

every 60students attending the premises at anyone time.

4.3

Th e above does not indude staff and teac hers' toilets.

4.4

Toilets are 10 be suited to the age and height of students and pup ils.

4.5 The y a TC to be kept in good hygienicoonditions. and have cleaning materials

and loilel paper available al alt times.

4.6 There are to be wash-hand basins, equipped with soap and towels, in the

proportion of one per 35 pupils, or. in th e case of part-time school s for adult studenls

one per (f) studen ts.

4.1 The wash-hand basins should be installed at a height sui ted to the age and

height of the students.

Drinking Wllter

5.1 All schools should have an adequate number of water taps outside toilet

areas, and the water should be potable from SOUI"Ce$ which supp ly fresh running water.

)>ta)'ground Space

6. I Every school catering for the full-time education of studenls of compulsory

school age mUSt have an adequate open-air playing space where the students can take

their recreation and long-breaks.

6.2 In special cases, permission will be given to schools to use in-doorplayground

space provided this is strictly reserved for recreation and unless an alternative site

for an open-air playing space call be obtained.

6.3 Schools catering for the education of children below compulsory school age

and on a bases of not more than 311", hour.; a day, may use an indoor playing and

movement area of suitable si",e is to be available as per 2.2.3.

6.4 The minimum size of an open-air playing space is at the mte of 5 square

metres per chitct for the first 300 children and 3 square metres for every additional ch ild.

1. Hygiene

1 Schools must keep to existing sanitary regulations as regards hygiene. This

is to include classroom. toilet and playground hygiene. food hygiene. in tuck-shops

and cafeterias and dormi tories a nd living accomodation in the case of boarding schools.

1.2 Schools are subject to the inspcq ion by Health Inspectors in this connect ion

and they are to abide by their instructions and recommendations. The Health

Inspectors will submit a report 10 the Mini ster responsible for education.

Teaching Stan

8.1 Teaching Staff are 10 have a warra ll1 \0 teach in a school as pe r an idcs 9

and 10 of the Ed ucat ion Act , 1988.

8.2 Licensed Private Schools are to conform with the min imum qualifications

requ irements of teachers in state schools for the appointments of their teaching staff.

8.3 Appointments at all levels of teaching staff (including Heads and Assistant

Heads of School ) are to have the prior notice of llie Minister responsible for education.

Other Staff. The ~hool is 10 maintain a dea ning staff in 11 .ufficient number

8A

to ensure the general deanliness of the school premises.

School Times

9.1 Schools which cater for the education of compulsory school age have to

con{onn to the total nu mber of hours per year as is req uired in state schools.

Inspection and Information

10.1 In conformity wi th the provisions of the Education Act. 1988 any school

is subject to inspeetion by officials from the Department of Education.

Wh en a school is so inspected a report shalllM: drawn up by the official assigned

for th is purpose and a copy shall be entered in the Department of Education School

file, whilst another copy is to be sent to the particular school, together with such

re marks as the Director of Education or the Ministe r might deem fit to add.

10.2 Fonna l school inspections which will review the conditions of the licence

of the school and the standards of education imparted will be carried out at least

every 3 years and the Inspectors will submit thei r Report and Recommendations to

the Minister responsib le for education.

10.3 Schools catering for the education of children of compu lsory school age

will strictly abide with School Attendance Regulations as issued by the Director of

Education (Education Welfare Section).

10.4 Schools will submit to the Ministe of Education or the Director of Education

such returns and information as is required from time to time.

School changes

11.1 Cbanges in ownership, contracts. Head of School and address of prcmises

arc to be notified to the Minister of Education in advance.

11.2 Changes of premises o r extensions to schools are to have the previous

authorisation of the Ministcr of Education following an application by the Head of

School.

· . ,

11.3 Changes in the licence conditions of the school ind uding the level and the

lotal number of students enrolled must be notified to and have the previous approval

of the Minister.

llA Changes in School Teaching Staff 8rc 10 be notified 10 the Director of

Educatio n.

Ot heT Coodilkms

12.1

Schools I TC to abide by the conditions set out in any particular licence.

12.2 The Teachers' Code of Behaviour shall be adhered to by all teaching Slaff

in all schools.

12.3 No alter~tion in rales of payment of school fees or other dues sha ll be

made without giving prior notice the reof \0 the Minister of Education at leasl one

month before th e proposed change is \0 come into effe<:l.

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