Goodwill can't be taken for granted [Independent.ie]
- Published: 30 January 2011
This is the time of year when extra-curricular activity in our secondary schools is at its peak, especially for those students in an exam year because it is far enough away from June to allow other interests outside the classroom get some attention.
Just last week, the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght played host to three days of intense competition for the schools cup finals and, of course, the Gaelic football, hurling and rugby competitions in the four provinces are now off and running. Most will reach their climax in March, allowing students to re-focus in plenty of time for exams.
Not that all this activity is the exclusive preserve of sport -- far from it in fact. Music, art, drama, science, and much, much more are catered for in schools. Indeed, a study last year found that Irish second-level schools are engaged in 85 separate extra-curricular activities, and sport -- and team sport in particular -- leads the way.
Many of our most famous sports people still place success at schools level high on their list of achievements. In Gaelic games especially, a Hogan Cup or a Croke Cup can rank up there with an All-Ireland medal. Kerry manager Jack O'Connor has seen it all, yet in his autobiography one game he singles out is a heartbreaking All-Ireland colleges semi-final defeat. And O'Connor (pictured), in another reference to his involvement with schools football, admits he "can get misty-eyed just talking about it".
But away from the blaze of publicity currently surrounding the country's political and financial meltdown, thousands of secondary school teachers will this week vote for a second time on the Croke Park agreement, which among other things will add an hour to their working week. On the face of it, the ballot appears almost anachronistic -- the Croke Park horse has after all long since bolted. Having been in the minority last year among public sector workers, there is an element of face-saving in this exercise to in effect endorse the lengthy consultation process that followed last year's rejection.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
