Primary School Principals are discussing what can be done to ensure children are “school-ready”.
They believe many youngsters are sent to school early as parents are unable to afford childcare.
Around 1,000 delegates are attending the IPPN conference, which will be addressed by the Minister for Education later.
Ruairi Quinn will also be told of the increasing pressure on principals, many of whom teach full time, combined with their administrative duties in running a school.
Brendan McCabe, President of the Irish Primary Principals Network, says these two issues in particular will be highlighted to the Minister.
