Education News in Ireland

The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, announced today that 372 primary schools across the country will be awarded the Discover Science and Maths Award. Led by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), the programme aims to increase interest in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) among primary school students, parents, and teachers, nationwide in a fun and engaging way. [end_intro]

Commenting on the awards, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, said: “I want to congratulate all the students and the teachers that have been successful in winning an SFI Discover Primary Science and Maths Award. The projects this year covered several important topics that will inevitably impact every one of us including climate change, plastics and technology.

“I know the last few years haven’t been easy for children but yet again, we have seen their imaginations remain alive and they are working together to help us solve the big challenges we all face.

“I really hope students and their teachers will keep engaging with programmes such as this one and developing science, technology and maths within the school. Because we need so many big ideas and bright people to help us navigate our way through the big problems we are all dealing with.”

The awards celebrate and recognise the participation of schools in hands-on, inquiry-based learning in the areas of STEM. This year, students focused on issues such as climate change, plastics, technology, and using STEM to solve everyday problems.

Congratulating the schools, Dr Ruth Freeman, Director of Science for Society at Science Foundation Ireland, said: “It is great to again get the opportunity to celebrate and reward so many primary school students, and their teachers, for their excellent contributions to the SFI Discover Primary Science and Maths programme. We are committed to breaking down barriers and finding ways to make learning both accessible and engaging. I hope that dated, stereotypical views of the types of people who work in STEM will soon be a thing of the past; as we look forward to the next generation of STEM workers and enthusiasts, we need to ensure that the full diversity of our society is reflected. There already is evidence of increasing levels of diversity amongst our research community, but more can still be done. Engaging with primary school students and their families is a key component to achieving this.”

The awards offer three categories for applicants: The Certificate of STEM, is aimed at schools starting out on the STEM journey and involves a minimum of two classes. The Plaque of STEM, which is for schools further along their STEM journey, involves at least half of the classes in the school. The Badge of Excellence is for schools that have already achieved the Plaque and have continued to demonstrate excellence in raising awareness of STEM in their communities. This year, 15 schools received the Certificate, 332 schools achieved the Plaque, and 25 schools accomplished the Badge.

The virtual award ceremony was attended by teachers and students from over 200 schools and included a live science show marking the close of this year’s programme.

SFI, in conjunction with the European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO), offers free continuous professional development (CPD) in STEM for primary school teachers. The programme explores the topics of biodiversity, insulation, and space through inquiry-based learning. The three workshops will provide teachers with a framework and planning tools to deliver hands-on STEM learning in the classroom. This CPD can be carried out virtually via Zoom.

Registration for the 2022/2023 Academic Year Awards and the DPSM/ESERO CPD will open in September 2022. For more information about the DPSM programme, the Awards and CPD, please visit www.primaryscience.ie or contact the team on primaryscience@sfi.ie.

• Total Awards: 372 awarded


• Certificate of STEM: 15 awarded


• Plaque of STEM: 332 awarded


• Badge of STEM: 25 awarded


• DEIS Schools: 80 awardees for 2022/2023


• Gaelscoil: 16 awardees for 2022/2023

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Leaving Cert exams underway but still no date for results

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 08/06/2022.
Tags: Parenting

The Junior and Leaving Certificate written examinations have gotten underway this morning marking the return to traditional written June exams after two years disruption due to Covid.

It is anticipated that ... click to read full post & comments

Ministers announce projects to help public understanding of STEM

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 02/06/2022.
Tags: Education And Politics Parenting

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, and Minister for Education, Norma Foley, have today announced an investment in 47 projects aimed at improving public understanding of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). ... click to read full post & comments

Book grants 2022

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 30/05/2022.
Tags: Educations And Politics

Once-off funding of €20 million is available to enable all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme to purchase books, audio books and other media for the purposes of improving their existing literacy-resource banks. ... click to read full post & comments

Minister Foley invites views on the Action Plan on Bullying

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 27/05/2022.
Tags: Parenting Education And Politics

The Minister for Education Norma Foley today encouraged all pupils and students, parents, school staff members, Education Partners and those involved in school communities to ‘have their say’ on a consultation process on preventing and tackling bullying in schools. This consultation forms part of the review of the department’s Action Plan on Bullying, which will inform the development of a new Action Plan. The Anti-bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-primary Schools are also being reviewed. ... click to read full post & comments(3)

Applications Open for Education Initiative Blast 2022

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 25/05/2022.
Tags: Education And Politics

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD today invited primary and post-primary schools to apply for the arts-in-education initiative, BLAST 2022. ... click to read full post & comments

Fuel Contribution to School Transport Services Confirmed

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 23/05/2022.
Tags: Parenting Education And Politics

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289 million in 2021. ... click to read full post & comments

Children’s Books Ireland offers Hundreds of new Books for School Libraries 

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 20/05/2022.
Tags: Parenting

Applications are now open for Children’s Books Ireland book-gifting projects 2022–2023, offering schools across Ireland the chance to receive hundreds of books for their school library, class sets for their students to keep, visits from authors and illustrators, and more. ... click to read full post & comments

5,343 Ukrainian Pupils Currently Enrolled in Irish Schools

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 17/05/2022.
Tags: Parenting Education And Politics

The Department of Education can confirm that as of 13 May, 5,843 Ukrainian pupils have been enrolled in schools across Ireland. Out of that figure 3,968 of these pupils have been accommodated in primary schools while 1,875 pupils have enrolled in post-primary schools. ... click to read full post & comments

€325,000 Funding for Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 13/05/2022.
Tags: Parenting Education And Politics

Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth, Roderic O'Gorman, is pleased to announce the details of the Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative 2022. The Minister has secured funding of €325,000, which will be allocated to Parent and Toddler Groups nationwide through local City/County Childcare Committees (CCCs). From today, Parent and Toddler Groups are invited to make an application for funding under this Initiative through their local CCC.

This year, two new funding streams are being introduced under Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative:

Firstly, funding of up to €400 is available to establish and operate Buggy Walking Groups. These Buggy Walking Groups are organised social walks for parents/guardians and young children. The grant of up to €400 is open to any existing or new organisations or groups who wish to offer a minimum of six organised walks within their community.

Secondly, funding of up to €400 is available for new or existing Parent and Toddler Groups to provide an additional session.

In addition to these new funding streams, Parent and Toddler Groups can apply for funding towards:

• Toys, equipment and books for indoor and outdoor activities, children’s refreshments
  
• Storage for equipment
  
• Training for parents, e.g. paediatric first aid, committee skills, parenting courses, facilitated sessions
  
• Children’s activities, e.g. arts and crafts, music
  
• Limited funding will be available towards insurance, rent or minor refurbishment
  
• Commenting on the launch of the Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative 2022, Minister O’Gorman said:
  

“The last two years has been challenging for all of us, not least for children and their parents. I hope this Initiative will encourage the development of new Parent and Toddler Groups, as well as support the continuation and expansion of existing Groups. Parent and Toddler Groups provide a great meeting place for parents/guardians with young children to relax and chat together in a supportive environment while their children play. I am delighted to be able to support them”.

This Initiative will be administered by local CCCs on behalf of the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth. Further information on the application process, including detailed application guidelines are available now on local CCC websites. Parent and Toddler Groups are encouraged to contact their local CCC with any queries on the Initiative and the application process. Contact details and links to websites of all local CCCs can be found on www.myccc.ie.



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Review of Out of School Education Provision

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 13/05/2022.
Tags: Education And Politics

Minister for Education Norma Foley has today (12 May 2022) announced the publication of a report on the Review of Out-of-School Education Provision. ... click to read full post & comments

Minister Foley Announces Appointment of New Board

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 12/05/2022.
Tags: Education And Politics

The Minister for Education Norma Foley today announced the appointment of the new board of An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaiochta (COGG), which she has appointed for a 4-year term until 28 February 2026. ... click to read full post & comments

Active Schools Week 2022 

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 04/05/2022.
Tags: Parenting Education And Politics

Minister for Education Norma Foley launched details of this year’s Active School Week.

National Active School Week #ASW22 takes place from 3-6 May. All schools are encouraged to build Active School Week into their annual school calendars. It is important also that all Active School Week activities are both fun and inclusive. ... click to read full post & comments

40m Summer Programme for Pupils with Complex Needs

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 04/05/2022.
Tags: Parenting Education And Politics

Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister of State with responsibility for Special Education Josepha Madigan announced, on the 3rd of May, a summer education programme for pupils with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage for summer 2022. ... click to read full post & comments

Asthma Society Of Ireland Asks ‘is Ireland Asthma-Safe For Children?'

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 03/05/2022.
Tags: Parenting

The Asthma Society of Ireland today released findings of a survey of Irish parents or guardians about their children’s asthma. One in ten children in Ireland have asthma. 73% of parents surveyed reported that they have experienced anxiety around managing their child's asthma – and 28% indicated they experienced this anxiety ‘always or often.’ ... click to read full post & comments

Second Level Students Union added to National Council

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 28/04/2022.
Tags: Education And Politics

Minister for Education Norma Foley has signed a Statutory Instrument, updating the membership of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) to include the President of the Irish Second Level Students’ Union (ISSU). ... click to read full post & comments

Proposed upskilling programme for SPHE/RSE Teachers

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 21/04/2022.
Tags: Teachers

The Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has announced her intention to provide funding for a new postgraduate programme to upskill registered post-primary teachers teaching social personal and health education/ relationships and sexuality education (SPHE/RSE).

This programme will provide a pathway for progression for post-primary teachers interested in ... click to read full post & comments

CyberSafeKids "Same Rules Apply" Safety Campaign

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 19/04/2022.
Tags: Parenting

You wouldn’t allow it offline, so why allow it online? Remember, Same Rules Apply.

Online safety charity CyberSafeKids is launching its ‘Same Rules Apply’ campaign in Ireland (#samerulesapply). The campaign is an online parental awareness campaign to challenge the arbitrary and outdated separation of the ... click to read full post & comments

Half of Second-level Schools have Unfilled Vacancies

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 19/04/2022.
Tags: Teachers

A RED C/ ASTI survey indicates that there are unfilled vacancies in more than half of all second-level schools. Principals who participated in the survey say the declining attractiveness of teaching is the main reason for this. ... click to read full post & comments

Is Féidir Linn! New Irish Language Resource

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 12/04/2022.
Tags: Parenting

Broadcaster, writer and parent Maia Dunphy launches new digital resource, Is Féidir Linn!

Inspired by the challenges of home schooling during the pandemic, a new digital resource for parents and guardians was launched by Gael Linn, an organisation which supports schools in promoting the use of the Irish language beyond the classroom.

‘Is Féidir Linn’ aims to make the language accessible for all parents and guardians, regardless of their own Irish language skills or experience, using phrases, stories and songs for children about the daily routines of family life. The interactive resource, which is accessible on computer and mobile devices, features everyday phrases in both English and Irish, as well as a sound-recording of each to help with pronunciation.

The new resource grew from a social media resource, #GaeilgeSaBhaile, that Gael Linn created during the pandemic to support families home schooling. Useful phrases for parents include “Brostaigh ort, maith an cailín”, “Hurry up, good girl”, and inspired by the pandemic, “Ná dean dearmad do lámha a ní”, “Don’t forget to wash your hands”.

Speaking at the launch of ‘Is Féidir Linn’, Edel Ní Bhraonáin, Gaelbhratach Project Co-ordinator at Gael Linn, said: “While home schooling during the pandemic, many parents and guardians found themselves using more Irish with their children, some having not used the language themselves since school, or having never learned it at all. While it may have been a challenge at the time, we’ve heard from many who were also inspired to reignite their love and use of the language, or to begin learning Irish for the first time.

“This resource has been designed with the parent in mind, as much as the child, with accessible stories and songs that lift the language off the page and the screen, to give families the language for everyday activities at home like getting ready for school or the bedtime routine. Incorporating Irish into the everyday like this is an easy and effective way for parents to bring Irish out of the classroom and into the home.”

‘Is Féidir Linn’ was launched today by broadcaster, writer and parent, Maia Dunphy. Speaking at the launch, Ms Dunphy said: “This is such a useful resource for anyone hoping to use more Irish at home with the kids in their life. It’s interactive and gives families practical phrases they can use day-to-day, which is so important for language learning.

“I know from my own little boy, children embrace language learning with such enthusiasm, and they’re not held back by fear of making mistakes, we could learn a lot from them in that sense.”

Funded by Foras na Gaeilge, ‘Is Féidir Linn’ is available for free at: www.gaelbhratach.ie/is-feidir-linn/. Follow on social media @gaelbhratach.



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Scheme will extend access to subsidised early learning and childcare

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 08/04/2022.
Tags: Education And Politics Parenting

Changes to the National Childcare Scheme fast tracked to extend access to subsidised early learning and childcare for children and families ... click to read full post & comments

INTO to Use Sectoral Bargaining Fund in Primary Sector

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 01/04/2022.
Tags: Education And Politics

Minister for Education Norma Foley today welcomed agreement on the use of the Sectoral Bargaining Fund under Building Momentum in the Primary Teaching Sector. [end into]

The Department of Education and the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) have been engaging on the use of the fund and a circular outlining the use of the fund has issued today. Sectoral bargaining was an element of the national pay agreement, Building Momentum, and provides for the establishment of a sectoral fund amounting to 1% of basic pay to resolve outstanding issues, with a payment date of 1 February 2022.

The INTO had opted to use the fund to settle a number of outstanding claims. These are outlined in detail in the Circular but in summary relate to:

1. An increase in Part-Time Hourly /Daily Rates – the increase to the part-time hourly rates payable to new entrants to teaching will bring them into line with rates for other teachers.



2. The Payment of a Secure Unit Allowance (Disturbed Adult Allowance) be paid in respect of teachers who work in certain Secure Units/Secure Care settings.



3. Implementation of the Recommendation from the 2nd Public Service Benchmarking Body Report in respect of Principals and Deputy Principals. The settlement of this recommendation provides for an increase in the allowance payable by moving up two categories on the scale of allowances for Principals and Deputy Principals in schools with 1 to 5 authorised posts. It also provides for an increase in the allowance payable by moving up one category on the scale of allowances paid to Principals and Deputy Principals in schools with between 6 and 35 authorised posts.



4. Amendment to Principals Allowance for Large Primary Schools. The Benchmarking Body report also provided for an extension of the 11 categories of allowances at primary level for Principals/ Deputy Principals. The settlement of the matter will provide for an extension of the categories of allowance payable in Primary schools from the current cap of 36+ authorised posts to include revised categories of authorised posts of 36-40, 41-50, 51-60 and 61+ posts.



5. Implementation of an Allowance for 2nd Teacher in Two-Teacher School. The settlement of this claim provides for the second teacher in two-teacher mainstream schools (and no other authorised posts), to receive an allowance equivalent to that of a Deputy Principal.

In noting the INTO’s decisions, Minister Foley said:

“I welcome the decision of the INTO to opt to use the sectoral bargaining fund to settle outstanding priority claims. This was the intention behind the concept of sectoral bargaining agreed in the national pay talks which allows for unions to decide on how best to use the fund in terms of their member’s priorities.”

Read the circular.

Further circulars will issue outlining the agreed outcome on any remaining outstanding claims or awards which will be dealt with under the provisions of the Sectoral Bargaining Fund

Source: gov.ie



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Publication of Autism Good Practice Guidelines

Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 01/04/2022.
Tags: Education And Politics

In advance of World Autism Month 2022, Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan today (Wednesday, 30 March) announced the publication of Autism Good Practice Guidance for Schools – Supporting Children and Young People. ... click to read full post & comments