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Education And Politics News
DES issues Circular on implementation of new Literacy & Numeracy Strategy
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 16/05/2012.Tags: Teachers Education And Politics
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The Department of Education and Science has issued new Circular Letter 0018/2012 to schools setting out the reporting processes for the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy announced by the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn TD, last year.The circular sets out the background to standardised testing and details the NCCA report card templates and the reporting processing along with the grants available.
The INTO has issued a statement that they have had discussions with the DES re the provisions and have clarified the following ... click to read full post & comments
Inspections highlight failing schools
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 04/05/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
The government's chief inspector has revealed there are 60 schools in Ireland that are rated as seriously underperforming.
Nearly half of these continue to have severe weaknesses despite the intervention of the Department of Education's school improvement group, the Irish Times reports.
... click to read full post & comments
Quinn announces funding of €14m allowing almost 80 schools to replace prefabs with permanent classrooms
Posted by Schooldays Newshound on 24/04/2012.Tags: Education And Politics Teachers
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177 schools around the country have been given the green light to replace rented prefabs with permanent classrooms.The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., announced the first round of approvals for schools in an initiative to replace rented prefabs with permanent accommodation.
The 77 schools can now proceed with construction of the new buildings.
This round of funding will result in a total of ... click to read full post & comments
Govt looking to use schools for cheap childcare
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 23/04/2012.Tags: Education And Politics Teachers
Working parents could soon benefit from a new after-school care initiative proposed by the government in a bid to support those returning to employment.
The Times reports how officials are considering using vacant school buildings as a venue for cheap childcare, which will be offered to those with youngsters aged seven and up.
... click to read full post & comments
Report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 16/04/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
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Last week, Minister for Education and Skills, Mr. Ruairí Quinn T.D., published the report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector. 247 submissions were received from interest groups, parents and members of the public and were considered by the Advisory group. Primary and post-primary pupils also participated in the consultation process. The report notes that while 96% of education provision at primary level is denominational arising from the historical development of Irish primary education, there is clearly increased demand for ... click to read full post & comments(1)Minister announces Anti-Bullying forum
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 16/04/2012.Tags: Education And Politics Parenting
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., today announced details of a forum to explore ways to tackle the problem of bullying in schools.The Anti-Bullying Forum is due to take place on the 17th of May 2012 and will bring together a range of experts, support groups and representatives of the schools sector including parents and students.
The Forum will consider what changes to existing practices and policies in schools may be ... click to read full post & comments
Teachers union slams Quinn's claims austerity gravity overlooked
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 11/04/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn has accused some members of the education sector of not fully appreciating the gravity of the fiscal crisis.
Speaking at the annual conference of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO), Mr Quinn claimed calls for the reversals of budget measures and increased investment in teaching suggests the seriousness of the situation is being overlooked by some.
... click to read full post & comments(2)
Quinn raises concerns over religious education
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 05/04/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn has questioned the amount of time dedicated to the Irish language and religion in primary schools.
Speaking to the Irish Times, he claimed in some schools 30 per cent of weekly teaching time is spent on these two subjects.
... click to read full post & comments(2)
Up to 64% of second-level schools may drop Leaving Cert subjects in 2012
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 04/04/2012.Tags: Education And Politics Parenting Techers News
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Sixty-four per cent of second-level schools are considering dropping one or more subjects from their Leaving Cert programme as a result of Budget 2012 education cuts, a study commissioned by the ASTI has found.The Leaving Cert subjects most likely to be dropped by schools in September 2012 are accounting, chemistry, physics, and economics. Amalgamation of higher, ordinary and foundation level classes is another likely response to Budget cuts. Fifty-seven per cent of schools indicated that they are likely to ... click to read full post & comments
Consultation planned for cross-border education proposals
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 02/04/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
Families living on the boundary between Northern Ireland and the Republic are to be consulted regarding sending their children to schools across the border.
Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn and his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive John O'Dowd claimed co-operation among communities in these areas is the key to improving teaching services.
... click to read full post & comments
Anti-bullying campaign 'needs to be stepped up'
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 30/03/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
Calls have been made for a review of anti-bullying programmes, with one campaign claiming such initiatives need to be implemented in all schools in Ireland.
Legal expert with the National Anti-Bullying Coalition David Quirke told the Irish Examiner that he believes the country's current system is flawed.
... click to read full post & comments
Segregated religious lessons were proposed by State, report finds
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 29/03/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
A new report has revealed segregated religious education classes were originally planned as part of the new model for primary schools announced by the government in 2008.
Documents obtained by RTE under the Freedom of Information Act revealed the Department of Education promised Catholic bishops that all Catholic children studying at Community National Schools would still receive religious teaching.
... click to read full post & comments
Church of Ireland schools 'to be hit by budget'
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 16/03/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
This year's budget could mean that many Church of Ireland schools will have to cope with reduced teaching resources, it has been claimed.
Bishop of Meath Richard Clarke told a conference in Dublin this week that up to three-quarters of such schools may lose a mainstream teacher within four years, the Irish Times reports, which will leave them "seriously damaged".
... click to read full post & comments
No Irish universities make top 100 list
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 15/03/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
The standard of third-level education in Ireland may have suffered recently, as it has been revealed no Irish institutions are ranked in the world's top 100 universities for reputation.
This is according to the latest Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings list, which reflects the views of more than 17,000 academics from around the globe, the Irish Times reports.
... click to read full post & comments
Govt to create 80,000 new school places
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 12/03/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
A €1.5 billion programme to provide new schools in the greater Dublin area has been announced by the government.
Education minister Ruairi Quinn is set to reveal details of plans to construct new schools in order to create 80,000 school places.
... click to read full post & comments
Patronage of new schools announced by Quinn
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 06/03/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
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Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn has announced that multi-denominational body Educate Together is to run five out of seven new primary schools due to open this September. The new schools will be located in the greater Dublin area, as well as Ashbourne and Kildare Town. Another primary school will be opened under the patronage ... click to read full post & commentsQuinn Announces €35m to replace school prefabs
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 01/03/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
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The Minister for Education & Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., today announced the biggest initiative ever undertaken to replace rented prefabs in schools. Almost 200 schools will be offered grants to build permanent accommodation this year – over a third of all schools who currently rent prefabs. The funding will be used to replace prefabs that are used to provide resource rooms and classroom accommodation for an estimated 6,000 pupils. A total of €35 million has been allocated for this initiative in 2012.Commenting on the new initiative Minister Quinn said: "It's hard to believe that ... click to read full post & comments
Quinn accused of 'robbing Peter to pay Paul'
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 23/02/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
Plans to introduce fresh cuts to school maintenance supports in response to a U-turn on reducing funding for disadvantaged schools have been described as robbing "Peter to pay Paul".
The Irish Primary Principal's Network (IPPN) has claimed Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn's latest move will leave hundreds of schools struggling to pay for basic utilities.
... click to read full post & comments(1)
DOE to retain 235 DEIS posts
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 21/02/2012.Tags: Education And Politics Teachers News
According to RTE this evening, the Government has announced that the 235 DEIS teaching posts that were due to be axed will now be retained. The 2012 Budget had proposed cutting almost 300 'legacy' teaching posts in DEIS schools but the Department of Education has now said, that following a review of the DEIS cuts, those schools would now be given a slightly higher allocation of resource teachers than that envisaged in the budget proposals. However, the Department says it will now cut the overall grant to all schools to ... click to read full post & comments
ASTI responds to DES Circular letter on Staffing Arrangements
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 17/02/2012.Tags: Education And Politics Secondary School News
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Yesterday the Department of Education and Skills issued it's annual circular letter setting out staffing arrangements in post-primary schoolsfor the 2012/13 school year. The purpose of the circular letter is "to inform all post primary school management and staff of the staffing arrangements for post primary schools for the 2012/13 school year including, in particular, the requirement to ... click to read full post & comments
3,000 people to march in school budget cut protest
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 14/02/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
A protest march featuring 3,000 representatives from small schools across County Mayo is set to take place in response to the government's budget cuts announcement.
Approximately 150 primary and secondary institutions have come together across the region to launch the Save Our Small Schools campaign.
... click to read full post & comments(2)
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.
... click to read full post & comments
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.
... click to read full post & comments
All second level schools to get high speed broadband
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 01/02/2012.Tags: Education And Politics Secondary School News
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All second level schools are to get high speed (100Mbps) broadband, the Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte T.D. and the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D. announced yesterday. The national roll-out will be completed over three stages with 200 schools being connected by September 2012, a further 200 being connected next year and the remaining 250 schools being connected in ... click to read full post & commentsThree-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.
... click to read full post & comments
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+.
... 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.
... click to read full post & comments(2)
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.
... click to read full post & comments
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.
... click to read full post & comments
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.
... click to read full post & comments
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.
... 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.
... click to read full post & comments
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.
... click to read full post & comments
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
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.
... click to read full post & comments
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.
... click to read full post & comments
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.
... click to read full post & comments
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.
... click to read full post & comments
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.
... click to read full post & comments
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.
... click to read full post & comments
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.
... click to read full post & comments
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.
... click to read full post & comments
