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Education News in Ireland
Guidance counsellor cuts 'could lead to lawsuits'
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 03/02/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
The potential removal of up to 700 guidance and counselling experts in schools across Ireland could lead to legal action being brought against education establishments, it has been warned.
Deputy president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC) Gerry Flynn claimed budget cuts forcing the removal of such experts could be detrimental to schools, the Irish Times reports.
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Cuts announced for Communion and Confirmation ENPs
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 02/02/2012.Tags: Family And Leisure
Exceptional needs payments (ENPs) for school kids' Communions and Confirmations are to be cut under government reforms.
The Irish Examiner reports how only "hardship" cases will receive a contribution, with the amount falling from an average of 242 euros to a maximum of 110 euros.
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Unions criticise government suspension of teaching allowances
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 01/02/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
Two teachers unions have criticised a decision by the Department of Education (DES) to suspend payment allowances for new teachers.
The announcement was made by the government yesterday evening (January 31st), with all payments shelved pending a review by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
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Children to be taught about internet safety
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 31/01/2012.Tags: Secondary School News
On February 7th, education establishments across Ireland will host a range of activities for school kids aimed at teaching them about how to stay safe when online.
Safer Internet Day (SID) is a global event that aims to make the public more aware of how to avoid issues such as cyberbullying and identity theft.
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And They Call It Puppy Love
Posted by School Run Mum on 31/01/2012.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
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There comes an inevitable time in every parent’s life when they will see their child develop a crush on a member of the opposite sex. At the age of 25 – I’m hoping, and not before!But, what should a parent do when their Junior and Senior Infants come home declaring their undying love for a boy or girl in their class and announce, over dinner, that they have made up their mind and that they will marry said person and ... click to read full post & comments
Education Minister defends primary school policy
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 30/01/2012.Tags: Primary School News
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has come under fire due to his latest school policy, which suggests amalgamating primary establishments where class sizes are particularly small.
Speaking at the annual conference of the Irish Primary Principals Network, director Sean Cottrell claimed the initiative threatened the closure of rural schools across the country.
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Irish Primary Schools urged to ‘Spring’ into Science
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 30/01/2012.Tags: Primary School News
Irish Primary Schools urged to ‘Spring’ into Science~ Greenwave Programme Helps Irish Primary Schools Monitor the Signs of Spring ~
Discover Science and Engineering is calling for all national primary schools to get involved with Greenwave 2012, the mass science project which sees primary students tracking the arrival of spring as it moves across the country. When viewed from outer space, it is said that a ‘green wave’ begins in the south of Europe in February and as the ... click to read full post & comments
Study reveals impact of hobbies on learning
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 27/01/2012.Tags: Family And Leisure
Children who attend after school programs may perform better in reading and maths tests, according to a new report.
The latest research from the Economic and Social Research Institute's Growing Up In Ireland study found children who participate in activities such as sports and cultural pursuits have higher test scores than those who spend their free time watching TV.
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Three-fifths of schools 'worse off financially'
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 26/01/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
A large number of schools may be forced to reassess their classroom resources due to reduced budgets in recent years.
Research by the Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN) revealed 60 per cent of establishments say they are financially worse off now than when the recession began, the Irish Examiner reports.
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Govt 'improving its record' on children's rights
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 24/01/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
Parents of youngsters starting school this year may be pleased to hear the government's record on children's rights is said to be improving.
This is according to the Children's Rights Alliance, which has issued its latest report on the country's performance in this area, which awarded the Fine Gael/Labour coalition an overall grade of C+.
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How much does the earth weigh?
Posted by School Run Mum on 24/01/2012.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
Most parents have been stumped at least once, and in my case many, many times by a tricky question produced by the inquiring minds of their children. The ‘but why’ phase seems to start around the age of three and, as far as I can tell so far, probably never stops. Taking a simple car journey to the shops can result in the most profound conversations as question after question is thrown at you such as how the rain is made, why the moon is out in the day, what a rainbow is made of and what those big pipes at the side of the road are used for. As we attempt to drive, change CDs, ignore our ringing phone and pass drinks and a snack into the back seat, it isn't always that easy to come up with ... click to read full post & comments
Up to 1,600 teachers set for retirement from next month
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 23/01/2012.Tags: Teachers News
Many schools may be forced to re-evaluate their teaching resources next month, as a large number of educators are set to take early retirement.
Under the terms of the Croke Park agreement, teachers who leave the classroom in February will not be affected by changes to pension rules and will see their income based on their 2009 salary.
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Science and maths 'most feared questions' by parents
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 20/01/2012.Tags: Parenting Parenting Kids
Maths and science are the subjects most parents dread when their children ask for help with homework assignments, a new survey has found.
It revealed two-thirds of adults are frequently puzzled by questions on these topics, with a quarter admitting to feeling frustrated or embarrassed when they are unable to answer.
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Study highlights variation in primary school experiences
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 19/01/2012.Tags: Primary School News
A new report has revealed some of the differences that are seen in the way teaching resources are utilised in primary schools in Ireland.
The research, conducted as part of the Economic and Social Research Institute's Growing Up In Ireland study, found there is a large variation in the amount of time allotted to particular subject areas, both between facilities and within individual institutions.
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Teachers 'cannot be exempted' from cuts
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 18/01/2012.Tags: Teachers News
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has stated that teaching resources cannot be made exempt from budget cuts.
He told the Dail that as one-third of all public sector employees work in the education sector, they must participate in austerity measures, the Irish Times reports.
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Thinking outside the lunchbox
Posted by School Run Mum on 18/01/2012.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
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I will never forget the day when I popped into the local Spar for a loaf of bread. It was lunchtime, I was a new mum on maternity leave and I thought this would take a couple of minutes. It didn’t. It took FOREVER because I hadn’t factored in the deluge of kids from the local secondary school who had just descended en masse to buy their wedges and sausage rolls and crisps and pop and sweets for their lunch. I now know to avoid any of the shops at lunchtime!The fact that dinners are not provided in Irish schools was a shock to me ... click to read full post & comments
Small schools could be forced to share resources
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 17/01/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
Funding reductions announced in last month's Budget statement could result in small schools having to share classroom and teaching resources, one minister has stated.
Speaking on RTE's The Week in Politics show, Alan Kelly said that while it is not a goal of the government to close small educational facilities, some concessions will have to be made.
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DEIS 'having positive effect' on disadvantaged schools
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 16/01/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
The Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) scheme has had a positive effect on the quality of education in Ireland's most disadvantaged institutions, according to new research.
Introduced in 2005, the programme offers additional teaching resources and other support to 670 primary and 195 post-primary schools.
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Quinn: Cuts to DEIS schools a mistake
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 13/01/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has acknowledged it was a mistake to announce cuts to teaching resources for some of the country's most disadvantaged schools.
Speaking on RTE's Morning Ireland programme, he added that any changes to the plans at this stage will have an impact on other areas of the education system, as savings will have to be found elsewhere.
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Report calls for shakeup of education system
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 12/01/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
Primary schools should devote more of their teaching resources to maths lessons, while the points system for entry to third-level institutions ought to be abolished, it has been stated.
These are among the findings of a new study by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC), which proposed widespread changes to the education system in Ireland in order to help boost the country's long-term economy, the Irish Independent reports.
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Sinn Fein calls on govt to reverse education cuts
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 11/01/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
Planned cutbacks to the education system in Ireland that affect some of the country's most disadvantaged schools should be reversed, Sinn Fein has stated.
The party has put forward a motion to be debated in the Dail calling on the government to avoid targeting establishments classed in Band One and Two of the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) initiative.
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New bill to ensure teachers are qualified
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 10/01/2012.Tags: Teachers News
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has published the Education (Amendment) Bill 2012, which includes a number of important changes to the Education Act 1998 and the Teaching Council Act 2001.
Central to these are a number of measures that will make certain all educators are qualified and registered with the Teaching Council.
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Back to life – back to reality
Posted by School Run Mum on 10/01/2012.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
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Phew! We made it. Four months of Christmas holidays, over. It was four months wasn’t it? Or was it five? I think it was four – it certainly felt like it.Yes, yes, I know, it’s all wonderful and lovely and Christmas was, well, Christmas but it’s the bit afterwards that gets me. Unlike in the UK, where they started their Christmas holidays a week before The Big Day, meaning that there’s an opportunity to get involved in loads of pre-Christmas activities and get in the mood, most of our break was spent in that awful no-man’s land of ‘after Christmas’ – a place where nobody really wants to hang out.
So, we sat amid the remnants of selection boxes and ... click to read full post & comments
Irish colleges to see record number of applications
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 09/01/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
Students taking their Leaving Certificate exams this year may find they need more points than in previous years in order to secure entry to third-level education in Ireland, as the number of applications is said to be on the rise.
The Irish Times noted courses such as science and technology-based subjects will see the toughest points requirements due to an increase in demand.
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Changes to learning support 'will harm pupils'
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 06/01/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
Proposed changes to the way classroom resources for special needs students are calculated could damage the quality of education on offer, it has been warned.
Until now, primary schools were allocated staff to assist children with common learning difficulties such as dyslexia based on how many pupils they have, the Irish Examiner reports.
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UL marks 40th Anniversary with €2,000 Scholarships for 40 Incoming Students
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 06/01/2012.Tags: Education And Politics Secondary School News
The University of Limerick is offering €2,000 entrance scholarships to 40 students to mark the occasion of its 40th Anniversary this year. The 40 scholarships will be offered to students who will begin their undergraduate studies in the Autumn Semester for the Academic Year 2012/13. Speaking about the UL40 Scholarships Professor Paul McCutcheon, Vice President Academic & Registrar of the University of Limerick said ... click to read full post & comments
Govt 'cannot force schools' to offer healthy food
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 05/01/2012.Tags: Parenting Kids Health
The Department of Education has stated there is nothing it can do to prevent schools installing vending machines that offer unhealthy snacks to pupils.
A spokesperson from the government said it is a matter for each school to draw up guidelines for the food that is available on its premises, the Irish Examiner reports.
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Minister to audit private school spending
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 04/01/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has announced he is to launch an investigation into how private schools are using the fees they receive.
A survey by the Irish Times revealed these establishments take in more than 120 million euros annually from parents, in addition to the 100 million euros in funding they receive from the state for teacher salaries.
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Guidance Counsellors meet to discuss budget cuts
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 04/01/2012.Tags: Education And Politics Teachers
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Guidance Counsellors from around the country will be meeting in Dublin this afternoon to discuss the Budget cuts and to organise a campaign of protest. As of next year, schools will lose the separate allocation they have for ... click to read full post & comments(1)
Single-sex schools 'to be targeted' for cuts
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 03/01/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
Cuts to classroom resources may affect single-sex schools more severely, as these establishments are said to have been highlighted for a reduction in teacher numbers.
The Irish Independent reports the Department of Education has identified these facilities as targets as they are believed to have an advantage over co-ed schools, which may face additional challenges in providing courses to cater for the interests of both girls and boys.
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Students 'should be encouraged' towards science subjects
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 30/12/2011.Tags: Education And Politics
Parents of youngsters looking to go on to third level education in Ireland have been urged to encourage their offspring to take up science and technology-based subjects.
Chairman of the Higher Education Authority John Hennessy stated these degrees could offer better career prospects than courses such as medicine and law, the Irish Independent reports.
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Record numbers apply for Back to School payments
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 29/12/2011.Tags: Education And Politics
A record number of parents have applied for the school footwear and uniform allowance this year, with payments set to total over 90 million euros.
The Irish Examiner reports the Department for Social Protection expects to process claims from nearly 200,000 families for 390,000 children, with the large volume meaning some applications were yet to be approved before Christmas.
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Christmas Day Childline calls rise by 38%
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 28/12/2011.Tags: Family And Leisure
The number of children getting in touch with the Childline service on Christmas Day this year rose by 38 per cent compared with 2010, according to figures from the ISPCC.
It noted 1,387 calls, texts and messages were received over the 24-hour period, which the charity said reflected an escalating demand for its assistance this year.
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Junior Cycle reforms 'should be put on hold'
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 23/12/2011.Tags: Secondary School News
Proposals to radically reform the Junior Cycle need to be postponed until after cuts to education in Ireland have been reversed.
This is according to the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland, which stated such changes cannot be sustained with the second-level system in its current weakened state.
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Leaving Certificate set for reforms
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 22/12/2011.Tags: Education And Politics
The Leaving Certificate is to become tougher under new plans that will see questions made less predictable.
A report compiled by the Higher Education Authority and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment highlighted incidences of candidates being able to gain maximum marks by memorising pre-packaged answers and essays.
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Children's rights group welcomes referendum pledge
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 21/12/2011.Tags: Education And Politics
A pledge from Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald to hold a referendum on a constitutional amendment to protect the rights of youngsters has been welcomed by one charity.
Ms Fitzgerald told the Dail it is her intention to bring the issue forward as soon as possible in 2012, once the wording of the document has been finalised in a manner that will satisfy all parties.
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Modern Languages in Primary Schools Initiative
Posted by School Run Mum on 21/12/2011.Tags: School Run Mum Education And Politics Parenting
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In the recent budget, a proposal was announced to abolish the Modern Languages in Primary Schools Initiative with immediate effect. This incredibly worthwhile initiative supports modern languages in over 550 schools nationally with a core team of just 6 people, providing training, resources and school-based support as well as funding 300 visiting teachers who deliver the language programme in schools nationwide, all within a budget of under €2 million.The proposal to abolish the initiative comes at a time when ... click to read full post & comments
Minister announces new school building projects
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 20/12/2011.Tags: Education And Politics
Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn has announced the development of 56 new school building plans as part of a 430 million euro investment in education infrastructure for 2012.
The proposals includes 26 new primary schools and nine secondary schools - as well as extensions to existing facilities - that will provide classroom resources for over 15,500 primary and 7,700 secondary pupils.
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Class sizes 'set to rise' in small schools
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 19/12/2011.Tags: Education And Politics
A reduction in classroom resources for small schools is likely to lead to larger class sizes and multiple groups being taught in the same room.
This is the warning of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO), which stated that cuts announced in this month's Budget statement will see major changes to the way establishments are allocated staff members.
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Cuts 'could squeeze small schools out of existence'
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 16/12/2011.Tags: Primary School News
The survival of many small primary schools could be under threat as a result of cuts to the education system in Ireland.
This is the warning of the Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN), which has stated it is dismayed at both the range and depth of reductions announced in last week's Budget, RTE reports.
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Quinn 'to press ahead' with teaching post cuts
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 15/12/2011.Tags: Teachers News
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn is set to go ahead with plans that could see almost 430 teaching posts lost in disadvantaged schools, despite objections from principals and backbench TDs.
The Irish Independent reports he has warned there is no "magic wand" to solve the problem, following a meeting this week with backbenchers and teachers from establishments likely to be affected.
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Report highlights "clear lessons" for education system
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 14/12/2011.Tags: Secondary School News
A review of secondary schools in Ireland has identified a number of areas in which the quality of the education system can be improved.
The Improving Second-Level Education: Using Evidence for Policy Development report from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) highlighted three key areas where the country could do better.
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The gift of giving
Posted by School Run Mum on 14/12/2011.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
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I saw a Christmas advert recently which made me laugh, albeit sarcastically. It’s the John Lewis one set to the song, ‘Please, please, please let me get what I want.’ In the ad, we are led to believe that the little boy is thinking about all the presents he’s going to get on Christmas morning, but when he wakes up he just steps over the pile of presents at the bottom of his bed and goes straight into his parents’ room with ... click to read full post & commentsDisadvantaged schools 'to be hit hard' by Budget
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 13/12/2011.Tags: Primary School News
Some of the most disadvantaged primary schools in the country are set to see the largest impact of funding cuts announced in last week's Budget, one teachers' union has warned.
The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) said such establishments would be "devastated" by the planned austerity measures, the Journal reports.
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