Physical bullying by girls on rise in schools [Independent.ie]
- Published: 24 December 2010
PHYSICAL bullying by female pupils is on the rise, a major new study reveals.
One in five girls in primary schools and one in seven in secondary schools have been physically hurt, usually by other girls, it says.
Anti-bullying expert Dr Mona O'Moore from TCD says that "the increase in physical aggression among girls is evident in many cultures, especially in Ireland".
The level of physical bullying by boys has remained the same -- one in three boys is physically hurt in school -- but it has increased among girls. She says that girls become more physically aggressive with age.
One reason for the increase is the media's portrayal of women as pushy and ambitious, at times even resorting to physical aggression to achieve their aims. Another is the decline in "gender differentiation" between boys and girls.
Direct physical aggression by girls and boys includes all forms of physical attack such as pushing, poking, hair-pulling, hitting, spitting, biting, scratching, head-butting and tripping someone up.
Dr O'Moore quotes one girl who said: "When I was alone outside the library two girls pulled my hair and hit me in the face." Another said: "One girl calls me names about my teeth. If I say something back to her she kicks and hits me across the head".
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Talks to start on making up lost school days [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 23 December 2010
But these questions are now to be negotiated early in the new year, with the main focus on school-specific responses, given how the impact of the weather has varied between and within different regions of the country.
"The actual impact on teaching and learning is something that can only be assessed at individual school level by school authorities.
"The issue of whether or not an adjustment to the national standardised school year arrangements is warranted will also be considered," a department spokesperson said.
However, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation said on its website yesterday that the department has told the union it believes reopening before January 10 is unnecessary and that a change to existing holiday arrangements at this stage would not give enough notice to parents, pupils and staff.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
220 inspection reports published on Department's website [education.ie]
- Published: 22 December 2010
A total of 220 school inspection-reports were published today (22 December, 2010) on the Department of Education and Skills' website. New inspection reports on the web today include
- 54 whole-school evaluations (WSE) at primary level
- 7 whole-school evaluations at post-primary level, including 25 subject inspections
- 125 stand-alone subject inspections
- 8 stand-alone programme evaluations
- 1 evaluation of a Centre for Education
Since 6th February 2006, school inspection reports such as WSE and subject inspections are published on the Department of Education and Skills' website at regular intervals throughout the school year.
There are now 4,250 school-inspection reports on the website, representative of 1785 schools or centres for education.
WSE reports comment on the school's management, planning and management of resources; the effectiveness of teaching and learning; its arrangements for student assessment, supports for students, provision for minority groups and home-school links.
Depending on the size of the school, an inspector or team of inspectors visit the school for a period of time to evaluate management and planning; teaching and learning and supports for pupils.
Following this evaluation phase of WSE, inspectors discuss the findings and recommendations with school management and members of the teaching staff.
This is followed by factual verification of the report and a timescale is also built into the process for the school to respond to the WSE report.
At the end of this process the WSE report and school response (if the school has made a response) are published simultaneously on the Department's website.
Subject inspection reports evaluate the teaching and learning of specific subjects in second-level schools.
Full Story: www.education.ie
Labour pins Meath West hopes on school principal [meathchronicle.ie]
- Published: 22 December 2010
Navan school principal and Meath County Councillor Jenny McHugh has been ratified as the Labour Party candidate to run in the Meath West constituency in the upcoming general election.
In a contest where both Cllrs McHugh and Tracey McElhinney contested the ticket, Cllr McHugh was the choice of the delegates qualified to vote on the night.
Accepting the nomination, the Johnstown school principal said she had a proven record at vote-getting and it was her intention to work hard to win a seat for the Labour Party in Meath West, which incorporates the Castlepollard/Collinstown and Coole areas of Westmeath.
In her pre-election speech to party delegates, Cllr McHugh expressed her concern for the many people affected by the downturn in the economy, including young couples under severe strain to keep the roof of their heads, those affected by hospital waiting lists, the unemployed, those affected by education cuts, the loss of special needs assistants, the threat to pensions.
She said that the country faced another “Flight of the Earls” with so many young people having to emigrate to other lands to make a living. She said that, with the Labour Party in government, it would deliver “a different Ireland” where fairness in society is paramount, justice for everyone, a decent livelihood for every worker and a lifestyle befitting the dignity of every man, woman and child on the island.
Full Story: www.meathchronicle.ie
In my opinion: We must drop the lie that primary schools are free [Independent.ie]
- Published: 22 December 2010
Whatever happened to free primary education? Last year, parents provided 20% to 40% of their schools' operational costs.
Not only does this highlight the fallacy of 'free education', but when you consider that such money is from income that has already been taxed, it means that parents are subsidising the State's 3,400 schools' day-to-day running costs by up to 50%!
If that wasn't enough, the Department of Education's annual grant for schools, which is meant to fully fund operational costs, is being cut by 5%. The time has come to stop using the term 'free education'.
All schools have parents losing jobs, taking pay cuts or reduced hours. 'Voluntary contributions' are radically reduced, leaving a hole in schools' budgets.
Regardless of the economy, some parents cannot or will not contribute towards operating costs. A key value in every school is equity -- equal and fair access by all children to all learning opportunities. This means that the voluntary contribution has to cover swimming lessons, school tours, visiting theatre groups etc. A major worry now for teachers and principals is where to find money to ensure 'equity'.
This financial reality must be considered against a backdrop of other severe cuts.
The average class size has risen from 27 to 28. As this is an 'average', in reality it means there are classrooms with as few as 23/24 and as many as 32/33 pupils.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
