Teaching Principals Concerned That Children Are Losing Out
- Published: 25 January 2011
Eight out of ten primary school Teaching Principals are concerned that children in their classroom are losing out on quality teaching. A survey of almost 1,000 Principals, conducted by the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN), reveals that 80% of school leaders feel that children are disadvantaged by the constant interruptions such as unsolicited callers, attending to disciplinary matters, case conferences, all of which prevent the Teaching Principal giving undivided attention to her class.
Principalship for Life – Not A Good Idea?
- Published: 25 January 2011
‘Many primary school Principals spend too long in the same school and effectively become ‘Principal for life’. This practice is neither good for the Principal personally, nor for the wider school community’, stated Mr Seán Cottrell, Director of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) in his address to 1,000 school Principals at the IPPN Principals’ Conference in City West Hotel, Dublin.
‘In other countries where the practice of appointing a Principal on a fixed-term contract is in place, these Principals benefit professionally and are re-energised when moving to a different school on a new contract’ said Mr Cottrell.
Guaranteed Government Bond to Fund Primary Education
- Published: 25 January 2011
‘The incoming government should issue a new guaranteed Government Bond to attract monies currently on deposit in Irish banks and use it to fund Primary Education’, states Mr Seán Cottrell, Director of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN).
Primary education is grossly under-funded in Ireland, with 9 out of every 10 schools having to resort to fundraising and voluntary contributions from parents. A recent IPPN survey indicates that the average 100-pupil school operates at a €6,000 loss each year and that this shortfall must be made up through fundraising.
Easier To Trace Cattle Than Children
- Published: 25 January 2011
IPPN Director Seán Cottrell, in his address to 1,000 primary school Principals at Citywest Hotel will comment:
‘Every calf, cow and bull in the state is registered by the Department of Agriculture and Food in the interests of food traceability. Why isn’t the same tracking technology in place to capture the health, education and care needs of every child?’
New Government Must Create A Whole New Department for Children
- Published: 25 January 2011
‘Politicians only see statistics while Principals see only children,’ states leader of school Principals.
Irish school children have been short-changed for generations and only a complete change in mindset from the new Government can save our present generation from the same fate. This is the stark message which will be delivered by Mr Seán Cottrell to over 1,000 School Principals at the Annual Conference of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) at the City West Hotel in Dublin on Thursday, 27th January, 2011, the largest gathering of school leaders in Europe.
