Parents take to streets [theecho.ie]
- Published: 14 October 2010
IN WHAT was one of the largest public protest demonstrations seen in the streets of Enniscorthy, the campaign to highlight local anger at cuts affecting the Autistic/Special Needs unit of a local school kicked off in dramatic style last weekend.
An estimated 300 people, bearing placards and voicing their anger, marched for an hour on a circuitous route at Abbey Square/The Quays on a busy Saturday before halting at the steps of the local Credit Union offices and handing over a public petition to locally-based Opposition TD Paul Kehoe.
‘Save our SNAs’, ‘Special Needs Children Right to Education’ and ‘Cherish all children of the nation equally’ were among the slogans on placards carried by the group, which included parents of autistic and special needs children, family members, friends, neighbours and the general public.
Several members of the local Town Council took part in the march, as did St. Senan’s PS Principal Henry Goff, teachers and other members of the school staff. The Cottage Autism Network countywide body was also in attendance.
Aside from political parades, and isolated events recalled such as one by fishermen some years back, protest marches have been rare enough events in Enniscorthy in recent times.
Full Story: www.theecho.ie
Bill to allow jobs for unqualified teachers criticised [IrishTimes]
- Published: 14 October 2010
A FORMER minister for education has condemned as “facetious”, “insulting” and a “serious mistake” a provision in education legislation to allow for the employment of unregistered teachers.
Fianna Fáil TD Mary O’Rourke said that particularly at a time when so many qualified and experienced teachers were unemployed she was “appalled that any Government Minister or department would seek to enshrine this provision in legislation”.
Ms O’Rourke dismissed assurances by Tánaiste and Minister for Education Mary Coughlan that such appointments would only be in exceptional cases. She said “exceptions become the norm”.
She was speaking during the Dáil debate on the Education (Amendment) Bill, which provides for direct State involvement in setting up primary schools. The Bill also establishes the framework through which Vocational Education Committees become patrons of primary schools for the first time.
It also provides for the employment of unregistered teachers under specific conditions.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Tánaiste opens extension in Gardiner Street Primary School [education.ie]
- Published: 13 October 2010
The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan TD, today officially opened the new €1.2 million extension in Gardiner Street Primary School, Dublin 1.
The extension has four general classrooms and three resource rooms.
Gardiner Street Primary School has 224 students and staffing complement of 23.
Speaking at the school, the Tánaiste praised the new facilities at Gardiner Street Primary School.
'This new wing will improve the facilities of the school and the opportunities for its pupils and teachers well into the 21st century.
'The achievements of the pupils are notable and it is very heartening to report that the school has attained its second green flag this year.
'The Green Schools Programme is an international education initiative involving a whole-school environmental management approach.
'In participating, students learn the importance of environmental issues and, more importantly, how to take practical steps in tackling green issues in their school and home lives.
Full Story: www.education.ie
Diary of a schoolteacher: If only we could teach kids something that they want to learn [Independent.ie]
- Published: 13 October 2010
I always thought that I was a lone madman, working on my own to expose the foibles of the Irish education behemoth but, no, just reading the education pages over the last week or two has brought it home that it's just not me who believes the current Leaving Certificate format is a steaming pile.
One expert describes the exam as a "blight on education" and then another claims that around a quarter of students become disengaged and disenchanted as early as their second year in secondary school. As if this wasn't enough, a few other authoritative voices added to the chorus, claiming that when Irish kids reach college their tutors have to reprogram them to get them to think for themselves instead of regurgitating received knowledge, and that it's all just a "stultifying points race".
This is all good stuff because it means that there is now a cohort of Irish education experts who have actually been in a classroom recently and seen for themselves the kind of learning apartheid that we operate.
One of them mentions the students with money and motivation who are ideally placed to take on the Leaving Cert and get on to a decent course in a good college.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
It's more useful for the parents [Independent.ie]
- Published: 13 October 2010
Carol Dunne from Lucan, Co Dublin believes that homework gives her an opportunity to find out what her children are learning.
Two of her children, Eva (8) and Mia (6), attend Griffeen Valley Educate Together School.
"I wouldn't be an advocate of a lot of homework, because kids spend so much time on schoolwork in the classroom. I think it is sometimes more useful for the parent than for the children, because I can see how they are progressing in school.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
