Child ‘terrorists’ photos row [belfasttelegraph.co.uk]
- Published: 22 March 2011
Children have appeared dressed up as republican paramilitaries and brandishing replica guns in a south Armagh community centre which has received hundreds of thousands of pounds in EU funds.
The children, some of primary school age, were photographed at the Ti Chulainn cultural centre in Mullaghbawn.
They were wearing balaclavas, combat jackets and trousers, dark glasses and berets, and brandishing replica weapons including AK47s and Armalites.
A complaint has been made to the Children’s Commissioner Patricia Lewsley. The PSNI will also be asked to investigate.
Despite several telephone calls and written questions submitted by the Belfast Telegraph, no-one from the Ti Chulainn centre would comment on the matter.
The photographs were posted on a social networking website by a Lurgan Sinn Fein member. It is understood they were taken at the centre six months ago. Appalled members of the public who saw the pictures contacted IRA victims’ group Fair and the TUV.
The Children’s Commissioner confirmed that Fair director Willie Frazer yesterday lodged a complaint with her office.
Mr Frazer said: “I was told the office’s legal department will investigate. I was also advised to report the matter to the PSNI.” Mr Frazer said that while the photographs insulted victims of IRA violence, they raised wider issues: “People bereaved or injured by terrorism are insulted by these photographs.
Full Story: www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
End to favourable pupil-teacher ratio in gaelscoileanna [educationmatters.ie]
- Published: 22 March 2011
The change in pupil-teacher ratio in gaelscoileanna will be detrimental for the Irish-medium sector, according to GAELSCOILEANNA TEO, the national coordinating organisation for Irish-medium schools at primary and post-primary level.
It will result in job losses for teachers, larger class sizes and a complete dilution of the effectiveness of the immersion experience for the pupil, the organisation said.
On March 15, it launched a campaign to oppose the move - 'Protect the PTR' - at a press briefing in Áras na Comhdhála, Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge in Dublin. This was followed by a céilí and music outside Dáil Éireann, as part of 'Seachtain na Gaeilge', to celebrate the success of Irish-medium education.
Full Story: www.educationmatters.ie
Some parents concerned over future of small primary schools in Ireland [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 22 March 2011
Some parent associations have expressed their concerns that small primary schools in Ireland may be closed following a review.
Last week, interest groups were given their final opportunity to tell the Department of Education why facilities in the country with fewer than 50 students should remain open, reports RTE.
This comes as part of a review launched by the department into small schools which will look at whether they are value for money in light of budget cuts on the nation's education system.
However, parent associations and rural communities are concerned that some of the 600 facilities with less than 50 pupils will close after the report has concluded.
According to the news provider, they have promised to fight against any possible closure.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
CPSMA Annual Conference 2011
- Published: 22 March 2011
The Annual Conference of the CPSMA took place on Friday 11th March and Saturday 12th March 2011. The conference was officially opened by the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn T.D. Minister Quinn was welcomed to the Conference by Mrs. Maria Spring, Chairperson CPSMA. Very Rev. Denis Mc Nelis, Vice-Chairperson CPSMA, responded to the Minister's address.
read more ...
Feelings mixed on bullying video
- Published: 22 March 2011
A Sydney bullying victim who struck back has the sympathy of New Zealand school leaders, but they still have zero tolerance for violence, even against bullies.
Student Casey Heynes, 16, is a household name after a cellphone video showed him being hit repeatedly by Year 7 student Ritchard Gale.
After taking multiple punches, Casey picked up the younger boy and hurled him to the ground.
Both boys were suspended, but on YouTube, where tribute videos - including one in which Casey has been refashioned as the Incredible Hulk - have been viewed by hundreds of thousands, there has been overwhelming support for the teenager.
read more ...
