Talk-and-chalk model “nearing its sell-by date” [educationmatters.ie]
- Published: 29 April 2011
”… The central challenge of my work in educational policy over the last dozen or so years has been to inspire and drive through innovation in a way that ensures that our education system, at every level, remains relevant to the collective needs of a society that is changing in ways that at times I find quite extraordinary.
“And, as many of you are keenly aware, it is digital technologies that are driving much, or even most, of this change.
“… The massive challenge for the world of education is to move from an essentially top-down, chalk-and-talk model to one that reflects both the changing needs of society and the changing expectations of a generation of young people who expect, as a matter of course, to participate in making and shaping that society, and not to simply be passive recipients of whatever is handed down.
“As I see it, one of the problems with our current educational system, at least in England, is that the chalk-and-talk model has been carried to a point at which it is now nearing its sell-by date.
Full Story: www.educationmatters.ie
Teachers urged to act if colleagues are bullied [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 29 April 2011
TEACHERS were urged to support colleagues being bullied in schools.
Delegates at the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) congress also passed a motion calling on their executive to ensure all union officials, branch officers and school representatives are trained in proper procedures to deal with bullying.
TUI executive member Gerard Craughwell said all teachers had a role to play when a bully entered their workplace, adding that taking action may save the life of another teacher.
"If you are the bullied, then talk about it, tell colleagues about it," he said. "Confront the bully if you are able or seek help if you are not."
Separately, concerns were raised about possible discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender teachers in schools.
There was unanimous support for calls for the repeal of Section 37 of the Employment Equality Act, which allows religious-run schools to give more favourable treatment to prospective employees on religious grounds so as to maintain their ethos.
Full Story: www.examiner.ie
Schools still free to discriminate on religious grounds, Quinn told [IrishTimes]
- Published: 29 April 2011
EQUALITY: MINISTER FOR Education Ruairí Quinn was yesterday criticised for failing to give a commitment to repeal a section of the Employment Equality Act which allows religious-run schools to look preferentially at prospective employees on religious grounds, without being found to have discriminated.
Mr Quinn had told delegates at the Teachers’ Union of Ireland annual congress he understood how gay and lesbian teachers might be concerned their sexuality could be held against them by managements of some schools because of the provisions of section 37(i) of the Employment Equality Act.
Mr Quinn said he believed the best approach to deal with the legislation was to seek to change attitudes. He said he was more than happy to have his department work with union officials and the relevant education partners to develop a code of practice to address the issue.
But yesterday, Dublin post primary schools delegate Feargha Ní Bhroin criticised Mr Quinn’s approach. She said introducing a code of practice was not sufficient to deal with the issue and the Government should instead repeal section 37(i) of the Act.
“This article of the legislation gives churches a derogation from the rest of the Act so that religious-run institutions are allowed discriminate in the recruitment, retention and promotion of staff in order to protect the particular religious ethos of the institution.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Union ready to challenge any dismissals in court [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 29 April 2011
THE lack of protection afforded to non-permanent teachers is set to become the subject of a handful of legal cases against the state, it has been claimed.
The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) has confirmed it is considering the move under the Unfair Dismissals Act if any teachers on their second, third or fourth non-permanent contract are replaced with those on their first contract and not protected under the act.
Speaking on the final day of the union’s annual convention, ASTI industrial relations officer Bernard Moynihan said there is growing concern the Department of Education "may try to dislodge" or "redeploy" these workers from potentially permanent posts to save money.
He said he had news for any Government official planning this move: "You cannot override the law of the land. Our view is those people are protected by the Unfair Dismissals Act.
Full Story: www.examiner.ie
Retired subs ‘costing state thousands’ [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 29 April 2011
EVERY retired teacher who works as a substitute in schools is costing taxpayers €1,000 a week more than a younger non-permanent colleague
The final day of the Association for Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) has heard that different pay scales and the lost opportunity to help people out of the social welfare system means the Exchequer is being forced to take the financial hit.
It emerged on Monday that more than 1,000 retired teachers filled short-term vacancies in primary and secondary schools between last September and the end of February, despite the fact more than 3,000 young ASTI members are available for non-permanent work.
This includes 306 pensioners given substitute work at second level, more than 160 of them employed for at least 40 days or the equivalent of eight school weeks.
Speaking at the conference yesterday, ASTI industrial relations officer, Bernard Moynihan, confirmed the figures.
Full Story: www.examiner.ie
