School secretaries vote to strike [IrishTimes]
- Published: 04 March 2011
School secretaries have voted in favour of industrial action in protest at pay cuts introduced by the Government.
The trade union Impact said that the school secretaries had voted by a margin of 72 per cent in favour of the action on foot of the decision by the Government to introduce a five per cent pay reduction since the beginning of the year.
Impact assistant general secretary Brendan McKay said that the union’s divisional executive committee would now consider proposals “for the appropriate industrial action by the school secretaries as well considering other means to achieving a reversal of the pay cut”.
He said the 17,000 school secretaries affected by the cuts were employed by individual schools and VECs around the country.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Teacher fee Refund Scheme for 2010 [DES Circular 0012/2010]
- Published: 04 March 2011
- Scéim Aisíochta Táillí Múinteoirí do 2010 (Leagan Gaeilge)
- Teacher fee Refund Scheme for 2010 (Leagan Bearla)
Education is key at Ennis school [clarechampion.ie]
- Published: 03 March 2011
FIFTH class pupils of Educate Together National School in Ennis received a highly recommended prize at the Our World Irish Aid Awards presentation ceremony at Dublin Castle recently.
The Educate Together National School’s project was entitled Education Is Key. They received their award before an audience of 300 pupils and teachers at the ceremony hosted by RTÉ young people’s presenter, Rob Ross.
Some 700 primary schools participated in the national programme this year and the overall winners was Clonburris National School in Clondalkin. Through their participation, pupils explored the day to day challenges faced by children of their own age in other countries. They then created projects using art, drama, essays, poetry, film and music.
Congratulating the pupils, Minister of State for Overseas Development, Peter Power said it is crucial that the children of today are encouraged to look beyond our borders and understand that they have a role to play in making the world a more equitable place.
“I would like to commend all of those pupils who were recognised at today’s awards for the imagination and consideration they brought to their projects. I would also like to thank their teachers for stimulating their interest in the developing world.
Full Story: www.clarechampion.ie
£8.2m funding announced for peace projects [eecho.ie]
- Published: 03 March 2011
Projects to tackle division in Northern Ireland and across the border have been handed more than £8m in funding.
The cash boost from the International Fund For Ireland will support programmes involved in breaking down barriers in education, combating divisions between communities and supporting projects that are tackling economic and social problems.
The £8.2m (€9.8m) funding will benefit groups in a string of areas including Tyrone, Antrim, Donegal, Louth and Sligo.
Fund chairman Dr Denis Rooney said: "Today's funding announcement forms part of our current strategy to focus and support new and innovative work around integration in education, housing and family support, and continuing support for community organisations and youth programmes.
"This much-needed funding will play a critical role in reaching many communities where the benefits of peace-building and reconciliation have yet to be felt."
Full Story: www.eecho.ie
Pupils benefit from teachers’ management training [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 03 March 2011
PUPILS whose teachers take classroom management training are better behaved and have a better chance in the education system, research suggests.
The study examined the behaviour of 217 pupils in 22 infant classes at 11 Limerick schools, some of whose staff had undertaken a teacher classroom management (TCM) programme. It found that conduct and behavioural problems among pupils of staff in the training group were reduced, compared to those whose teachers had not done the training.
They also showed a significant decrease in emotional symptoms.
The research team led by Dr Sinéad McGilloway of National University of Ireland Maynooth found that the programme was most beneficial for children who are most at risk, with significant improvements in overall behavioural difficulties, peer problems, general distress and social impairment.
Dr McGilloway said Irish classrooms have seen a steady increase in behavioural issues in recent years.
"Without adequate intervention at the earliest possible stage, these can lead to academic failure, early school leaving and a cycle of antisocial behaviour that can continue through to adolescence and adulthood," she said.
Dr McGilloway said the average training cost of around €100 per child was exceptional monetary value to the education system.
It has supported hundreds of teachers to deal with social, emotional and behavioural problems in the classroom.
