IPPN

Education Programme for Government - May 2016

Education Ambition for the New Partnership Government and 32nd Dáil Education is the key to giving every child an equal opportunity in life. No child should be left behind in economic recovery and we should use our strengthening economy to become a leader in the provision of world-class education and skills. Ireland is recognised as having a strong education system, with a well-trained and committed teaching profession. Our rates of school completion and participation in higher education continue to rise. And yet, too many of our children still fall through the cracks, and are in danger of being left behind.

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Last Updated: Thursday, 12 May 2016 16:35

It’s time to stop blaming Peig Sayers.

Primary Principals despair over future of Irish Language

As we celebrate 100 years since the declaration of an Irish Republic, the health of the Irish Language gives little cause for cheer according to a recent survey conducted by the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN).

IPPN members will convene this weekend for its Annual Conference entitled ‘100 Years of Leadership’ in City West Hotel with over 1,100 school leaders expected to attend from a total of 3,300 primary schools in the 26 counties.

IPPN President and Minister for Education agree that the time is right to start a ‘conversation’ on the time given to religion in our Primary Schools

IPPN President and Minister for Education agree that the time is right to start a ‘conversation’ on the time given to religion in our Primary Schools

Speaking at the opening of the annual Irish Primary Principals’ Network Conference at Citywest Convention Centre, Dublin, on Thursday evening, January 28^th which is being attended by over 1,100 Primary School Principals, the Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’ Sullivan, announced that she has rescinded Rule 68 of the Rules for Primary Schools. This rule affirms the primacy of religious instruction in our 3,300 primary schools. Minister O’Sullivan said ‘Rule 68 was a symbol of our past, not our future. The language of the rule was archaic and I am glad it is gone’ She says, ‘currently 30 minutes of each school day is allocated to religion. Is that enough, or is it too much. We want children to develop a strong ethical spirit but we also want them to learn many other things. We devote less than half of the time to PE than we do to Religion’.

Are Schools about to become Religion Free Zones?

Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’ Sullivan recently issued a statement in relation to the repeal of Rule 68 of the Rules for National Schools. This Rule reaffirms the primacy of Religious Instruction in the primary school curriculum.

With over 90% of primary schools in the country under Catholic patronage, her statement is perhaps the first overt move to reduce the influence of church bodies on education in Ireland, following on from the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism.

This week, in excess of 1,100 primary school principals from each of the 26 counties will gather in Citywest Convention Centre for the Annual Conference of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN). The topic of school admissions, curriculum reform and the place of religion in our schools will most likely arise during the course of the conference.