Latest Panel List [INTO.ie]
- Published: 26 April 2011
The DES has issued panel lists to the relevant panel secretaries. The DES has also posted a current list of permanent vacancies in primary schools for 2011/2012. It is important to note that the numbers on panels will increase further as not all the relevant documentation has been returned by schools and teachers to the DES at this point.
The DES is projecting approx. 1100 permanent/CID teachers for redeployment. It is also important to note that the list of known vacancies is not complete either as many retirements have not yet been notified to the DES.
Full Story: www.into.ie
Emphasis on skills-based learning needed – Chambers Ireland [Silicon Republic]
- Published: 26 April 2011
Chambers Ireland is calling for an increased focus on innovation, design and creativity in education to deliver the necessary skills to protect future economic competitiveness. Seán Murphy, Chambers Ireland deputy chief executive, said Ireland’s education system had fallen behind our international competition in recent years.
He cited the 2010 OECD/PISA Survey results which indicate that Irish reading levels slipped from fifth place in 2000 to 17th place, the sharpest decline among 39 countries surveyed.
Full Story: www.siliconrepublic.com
Putting Ireland top of the class [IrishTimes]
- Published: 25 April 2011
THE ANNUAL teacher conferences which begin today come after a challenging year for Irish education. Late last year, the complacency which had settled on the education system was shattered by the results of the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment survey on attainment levels among 15 year olds. The results for Ireland could scarcely have been bleaker.
On reading levels, Ireland slipped from fifth place in 2000 to 17th place, the sharpest decline among the 39 countries surveyed. In maths, Ireland dropped from 16th to 26th place, the second steepest decline among participating countries. Ireland is ranked as below average in maths and only as average in science.
Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn, is right to describe the OECD results as a “wake up call ’’ for Irish education.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Erratic work opportunities leave Emma (22) far short of probation requirements [Independent.ie]
- Published: 25 April 2011
EMMA McCarthy qualified as a primary teacher last summer, but she still needs classroom experience to become a fully fledged member of the profession.
The 22-year-old Dubliner needs to complete a probationary period of a total of 170 days in school.
Within that, she must complete two blocks of 50 days each in one school, which could be covering for maternity leave or long-term illness.
But since September, Emma has found it impossible to get enough work to allow her to meet the probation requirements.
She is one of hundreds in the same position this year.
Her employment pattern has been erratic: a day substituting here, or a few days substituting there, in schools around the Stillorgan-Blackrock area where she lives.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Katherine Donnelly: Frightening figures on 'babysitting' teachers must be wake-up call [Independent.ie]
- Published: 25 April 2011
THE damaging effects might take longer to show, but having a person with no teaching qualifications in front of a class compares with asking someone with no medical training to diagnose an illness.
If last year's OECD/PISA report showing a drop in literacy and numeracy levels among Irish 15-year-olds were shocking, today's revelations are scary.
There are many reasons to be uncomfortable about the figures exposing the extent of the use of unqualified and retired teachers in schools.
Retired teachers are soaking up opportunities that should go to new graduates attempting to build their careers. But at least it can be argued that retired teachers have the necessary qualifications for the job.
There is nothing to recommend having people with no qualifications in primary teaching at the top of a class.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
