O'Keeffe rounds on teachers in book-grant row [Independent.ie]
- Published: 26 August 2009
Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe last night hit back at criticism from a teachers' union over the withdrawal of the school books grant from needy families.
The minister has accused the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) of "selective remarks that conveniently ignore" increases in other funding for schools.
From this September, the book grants will be available only to pupils in designated disadvantaged schools -- about 500 of the 4,000 primary and post-primary schools.
Children from low-income families in other schools will lose the grant -- in order to save €7.5m .
Full Story: http://www.independent.ie/
Education hit hard with plan to slash 6,900 jobs
- Published: 17 July 2009
CHILDREN would be taught in larger classes under drastic proposals to cut 6,900 jobs in education.
Education has been targeted for the biggest jobs hit -- and other measure will include rural school closures, longer working hours for teachers, outsourcing and rationalisation.
An Bord Snip wants a rolling back on a raft of classroom concessions that have been introduced over the past decade, along with a major overhaul of the working conditions of teachers and academics.
But the Government would be on a clear collision course with teacher unions, who are already warning of industrial action over the proposals.
more at: http://www.independent.ie/
Outcry as teacher unions threaten to strike over 'unacceptable' proposals [Independent.ie]
- Published: 17 July 2009
TEACHER unions have warned of industrial action to resist any attempt to implement the cuts proposed in the Bord Snip report.
The JMB, the body representing secondary school managers said "all schools will suffer greatly as a result of these unacceptable recommendations".
JMB general secretary Ferdia Kelly said they had very serious concerns about the future of the sector in the wake of the report.
He said there were particular concerns regarding the impact of the proposal for a 10pc cut in the capitation grant for schools, an increase in the pupil-teacher ratio, reduced supports for special needs and newcomer pupils and increased workload for school management.
Irish Primary Principals Network director Sean Cottrell said primary education was being shredded by Bord Snip.
More at: http://www.independent.ie/
