Poverty and poor parenting spell trouble [IrishTimes]
- Published: 11 December 2010
AS IF loss of sovereignty, draconian budgets and sliding helplessly on melting ice were not enough, we are also sliding down the OECD literacy ratings, a dramatic fall from fifth to 17th place, writes BREDA O'BRIEN
The primary teaching unions urge caution; that all may not be as it appears. However, even the redoubtable Sheila Nunan, the INTO general secretary, offers cold comfort. “In the case of reading, no significant changes in average performance at fifth class level have been recorded since 1980,” she says.
Barnardos, in its 2009 report on educational disadvantage, Written Out, Written Off, put it differently. “Unfortunately, literacy levels have remained largely unchanged since 1980 with one in three pupils from disadvantaged areas continuing to have severe literacy difficulties.”
So even if the OECD results are somehow wrong, our literacy levels are deeply worrying.
Early school-leaving is linked quite often to literacy problems. According to the Barnardo’s report, early school-leavers are three to four times more likely to be unemployed. They are 2.4 times more likely to describe their general health as “poor” or “fair”, 1.4 times more likely to report moderate or extreme anxiety or depression, and 4.5 times more likely to be in receipt of a medical card.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Traveller equality ruling ‘well thought out’ [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 11 December 2010
THE equality ruling which upheld a young Traveller boy’s right to attend his local secondary school was a "well thought-out and well-reasoned ruling" and will have implications far beyond the Travellers’ movement, the Irish National Teachers Organisation has said.
A spokesperson for the largest teachers’ union in Ireland welcomed the ruling saying it was "very interesting and very good".
"Schools do these things in good faith but they have to be tested.
"I think in recent years primary schools have been better and do not have the criteria that a parent must have attended the school, but I am aware it is a lot of second level schools and it does not just affect Traveller children. In relation to primary schools it can be an older sibling rule which can pose a problem."
The INTO said the Department of Education should guide schools and have more of an input.
On Thursday, the equality tribunal ruled that a Christian Brothers’ High School in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, had indirectly discriminated against Travellers with its policy of prioritising certain applicants for being a Catholic, having or have had a brother or father attend the school, or having attended a local feeder school.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
Bus campaign is right on the nose [Independent.ie]
- Published: 10 December 2010
IT is a simple campaign which has changed the way children use public transport.
A scheme by Dublin Bus to steer children away from vandalism on the buses has been hailed as being at least partly responsible for opening up routes where the vehicles could not previously go.
Yesterday, the latest winners from an art and poetry competition run by Dublin Bus for primary school children were unveiled in a calendar for 2011.
The competition -- which has been in operation since 2002 -- is aimed at instilling a sense of respect in children.
The chairman of Sunderland football club, Niall Quinn, was on hand to pose with the winners of the competition.
"It is an important thing because to grow up understanding the bus and how people in all walks of life depend on it and to come to grow and like it, that is what the whole thing is about," he said.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Education body refuses certs to FAS students [Independent.ie]
- Published: 10 December 2010
THE education authority responsible for certifying further education courses last night confirmed it is refusing to issue certificates to students who complete FAS courses.
FETAC is withholding the certificates until the controversial state agency completes its national audit later this month.
The revelation comes in the wake of a storm of controversy at the scandal-hit agency over courses it provided to students.
In reply to a parliamentary question from Fine Gael's Fergus O'Dowd, Education Minister Mary Coughlan confirmed that FETAC was withholding the certificates.
"FETAC are now conducting an examination of the issues with FAS, involving visits to all FAS centres that request certificates from FETAC.
"Pending the finalisation of their examination and to ensure that errors do not occur on certificates, FETAC have decided to place a temporary hold on issuing certificates to FAS learners in respect of award types which may be subject to the errors encountered," she added.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Protest schoolboy faces expulsion [Independent.ie]
- Published: 10 December 2010
A SECONDARY school student faces a disciplinary hearing today for organising a protest over education cuts.
Supporters have launched a campaign on Facebook to prevent Shane Donnelly (17) from being expelled from Moyle Park College in Clondalkin, Dublin.
The Leaving Certificate student, who is a member of the Socialist Party, was one of the leaders of the walk-out from the college during school hours on Tuesday to the constituency office of local Fianna Fail TD John Curran.
He has been asked to stay away from school until a decision is taking following today's hearing. His parents are expected to attend.
A decision on expulsion would have to be approved by the board of management but could be appealed.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
