Why tug-of-love parents spell big trouble for schools [Independent.ie]
- Published: 30 November 2011
Divorce and separation can be a minefield for schools as parents battle it out over their child's education.
Most couples who have split up organise their children's schooling in a civilised manner by agreement, but increasingly principals are finding themselves at the centre of acrimonious disputes.
Parents may disagree on whether to enrol a child, their child's subject choices, and even on the surname that is used by the pupil in the classroom.
One primary principal said: "Some issues can be extremely difficult to deal with. I had a case where a child was picked up by the father from the school bus when he did not have custody. I ended up calling the gardai, and they had to sort it out.''
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Gifted youngsters 'need to be challenged' [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 29 November 2011
Many of the brightest children in Ireland are not being offered the services they need to be adequately challenged, which could be hindering their potential, it has been stated.
According to the Irish Times, of the 35,000 children in the top five per cent of the population for their intellectual ability, only 4,500 currently access specialised programmes.
Director of the Centre for Talented Youth, Ireland Colm O'Reilly told the publication gifted kids need a tailored curriculum just as much as those at the other end of the scale.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
Education cuts - Parents’ deepest fears [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 28 November 2011
A representative for parents of second-level students has said further education cuts will push many schools to breaking point.
Speaking at the launch of the Post-Primary Education Forum (PPEF) pre-budget submission today, the President of the National Parents’ Council Post Primary, Tommy Walshe said: “The impression that schools are coping with education cuts is a false one. After three years of cuts I think you could say that every second-level school in the country is struggling. Parents are extremely concerned about this.”
The PPEF is a forum involving the National Parents’ Council, management associations and teachers in the post primary sector. The forum campaigns on issues of common concern to the education partners.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
Schools 'still employing unqualified teachers' [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 28 November 2011
Many primary schools are still turning to unqualified teachers to provide cover, despite directives requiring priority for places be given to those registered with the Teaching Council.
According to Department of Education figures obtained by the Irish Examiner through Freedom of Information, up to 1,500 individuals without adequate qualifications have worked in Ireland's classrooms since September.
Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn issued instructions in May urging schools to give a higher priority to those with qualifications when looking for temporary staff, while the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) directed its 30,000 members not to work with unqualified educators.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
Ireland pushes education ties with Vietnam in bid to court student market [Independent.ie]
- Published: 28 November 2011
IRELAND and Vietnam today launched a new co-operation agreement aimed at increasing the number of Vietnamese students taking third-level courses in Ireland.
Speaking in Vietnamese capital, Minister of State for Trade And Development Jan O'Sullivan said: “Ireland sees our education linkages as central to the future of bilateral economic relations with Vietnam.”
Currently 40 Vietnamese are enrolled in Ireland's universities, with 13 of those funded by Irish Government scholarships.
To compare, 6,000 Vietnamese are studying in the UK, and elsewhere, tapping the Asian student market has created a multi-billion dollar industry within Australia's third-level education system.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
