Special needs cuts hit thousands of children [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 14 April 2011
THOUSANDS of children with special needs will have their resource teaching hours cut in September because of unexpected levels of demand.
The Department of Education is just 100 posts short of a limit on special education teacher numbers under overall staffing restrictions imposed as part of the EU/IMF bailout.
While 2010 data suggests 400 more resource teaching posts could be needed by the end of the year, the Irish Examiner has learned that schools are to be told they will have to share existing special teaching hours among all pupils.
The 300 posts which would go unapproved as a result could cost around €13.5 million a year, but the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) said the department has spent the same amount in recent years fighting parents who try to get a fair deal for their children with special needs.
There are 9,856 resource teaching and learning support posts at primary and second level, but the department has only made provision for 9,950 this year.
Bishops want to send Catholic parents back to religion class [Independent.ie]
- Published: 14 April 2011
PARENTS will be asked to accompany their children to weekend religious classes, under plans drawn up by the Catholic bishops.
The Sunday school-type classes are on the way for Catholic families who don't send their children to church schools but still want them to get religious instruction.
In a move that will test their commitment, parents will also be encouraged to get involved in the preparation of the classes and even join their children for the weekly sessions.
The bishops have drawn up a blueprint for parish-based religious education, although planning is at the early stages.
A new policy document -- 'Religious Education of Catholic Children Not Attending Catholic Schools' -- takes account of the changing educational landscape.
"Not all the children of Catholic families attend Catholic schools," states the document by the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference.
It adds that there is a need for more parish-based programmes to minister to these children and their families.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Egg-cellent news for pupils as their chicks hatch in time for Easter [Independent.ie]
- Published: 14 April 2011
Ten-year-old Andrea o'callaghan holds one of Moyderwell Primary School's newest arrivals. DOMNICK WALSHPUPILS at a primary school got an egg-stra special surprise this week when the first of their Easter chicks made an appearance.
However, the fourth class at Moyderwell Primary School in Tralee, Co Kerry, has learned not to count their chicks before they've hatched.
Out of 25 eggs, only 16 have fully hatched so far and one was unfertilised, so will not hatch.
The idea to incubate the eggs in the classroom was hatched by class teacher Maura Duggan.
She said her father, John, acted as a consultant on the project and the chicks will eventually be returned to his farm at Farmersbridge in Tralee.
"I've felt like Mother Hen in the maternity ward and we've had a lot of visitors since they've arrived," Ms Duggan told the Irish Independent.
The project was part of a science experiment and the 20 willing midwives in the urban school, most of whom have never even seen a live hen, are now experts.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Irish Government: Parents will have say about demise of Catholicism in classrooms [irishcentral.com]
- Published: 14 April 2011
Irish parents are likely to play a key role in determining the future of Catholic schools in Ireland, as the new Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn, prepares to remove the majority of primary schools from church control.
Many have labeled the minister’s plans, to chnage the Catholic church’s control of Irish school by the beginning of 2012, as unrealistic.
In Ireland the Catholic Church acts as the patron of 90 percent of over 3,000 primary schools.
The church is open to reducing its patronage, with the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin supporting the process.
Minister Quinn is currently establishing a Forum on Patronage and Pluralism to examine how the management of schools will be handed over.
Speaking about the proposed changes, Michael Drumm, secretary of the Catholic Schools Partnership, said: "It cannot be forced through without the support of local communities.''
Full Story: www.irishcentral.com
Egg-cellent news for pupils as their chicks hatch in time for Easter [Independent.ie]
- Published: 14 April 2011
Ten-year-old Andrea o'callaghan holds one of Moyderwell Primary School's newest arrivals. DOMNICK WALSHPUPILS at a primary school got an egg-stra special surprise this week when the first of their Easter chicks made an appearance. However, the fourth class at Moyderwell Primary School in Tralee, Co Kerry, has learned not to count their chicks before they've hatched.
Out of 25 eggs, only 16 have fully hatched so far and one was unfertilised, so will not hatch. The idea to incubate the eggs in the classroom was hatched by class teacher Maura Duggan
Full Story: Independent.ie
