More than 160 teachers 'aren't qualified to teach' [Independent.ie]
- Published: 02 October 2010
A total of 162 unqualified teachers were employed in primary and second level schools last year, writes John Walshe.
New figures, revealed in an answer to a Dail question, show that 129 were employed at primary level and the remaining at second level.
In each case the school had to show that every reasonable effort had been made to recruit an appropriately qualified and registered teacher. Their contract stipulated that the job would end when a qualified teacher became available. The unqualified staff were paid less than the qualified rate, according to a written reply from Education Minister Mary Coughlan. She said it was her policy that only qualified personnel should be employed by schools.
"Unqualified personnel should not be appointed except in exceptional circumstances and then only when all avenues for recruiting qualified personnel have been exhausted and even then only for quite limited time periods. It is for this reason that Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act 2001 is to be amended," she told Sinn Fein's Caoimhghin O Caolain.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Minister Haughey opens Research in Community Education Conference, Wexford [education.ie]
- Published: 02 October 2010
The Minister for Lifelong Learning, Seán Haughey TD today opened the Research in Community Education Conference which took place at the Amber Springs Hotel, Gorey, Wexford.
The conference, organised by Wexford VEC and supported by Aontas, is an ideal opportunity to reflect on and discuss the importance of community education in a changing world.
Ireland is facing serious economic challenges and as a result, upskilling, reskilling and activation have taken on a new and vital impetus.
Opening the conference, which was attended by a large invited audience, Minister Haughey said 'I am very pleased to be here in Gorey this morning to open this timely conference.'
'Community Education is a very important part of any discussion on upskilling and activation.'
'In the context of the global economic recession, community education is even more vital than ever.'
Full Story: www.education.ie
School taxi bill hits £2m [derryjournal.com]
- Published: 01 October 2010
Figures revealed in a Freedom of Information request reveal that, between 2005 and 2010, more than £1.4m was shelled out to just one local taxi firm - Foyle Delta Taxis.
This represents three-quarters of the money that the Western Education and Library Board has spent on taxis in the Derry City Council area alone.
The figure paid to the firm has grown each year since 2005, when it got £237,976. Foyle Delta is the only firm the WELB could provide figures for within the timeframe for FOI requests.
Full Story: www.derryjournal.com
Early years strategy needs money to implement ‘brilliant vision’ [impartialreporter.com]
- Published: 01 October 2010
FERMANAGH education representatives have reservedly welcomed a Department of Education (DE) draft consultation which sets out their vision for improving learning provisions for young children.
‘The Early Years (0-6) Strategy’, which recognises the importance of child development from a very young age, was published in late June this year. Consultation meetings are taking place across the country at present, the first of which was held in Enniskillen.
The draft document had been motivated by research pointing to the first years of a child’s life as being of critical importance.
It proposes better provision and quality of services to the youngest children, their parents and families with a view to enable every child to develop to their full potential by giving each one the best start in life’.
Full Story: www.impartialreporter.com
Appeal to ombudsman over Zoe’s support cuts [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 01 October 2010
A COMPLAINT is to be made to the Ombudsman for Children about the reduction of support services for a seven-year-old Down Syndrome schoolgirl.
Annabelle and Andrew Boyle say they will take the case of their daughter, Zoe, to the Ombudsman Emily Logan after the National Council for Special Education refused to reinstate the five hours per day school support provided by the child’s Special Needs Assistant (SNA).
On September 1, the National Council for Special Education cut the SNA’s role to just one hour a day.
Archbishop Dermot Clifford sent an appeal to the National Council for Special Education asking for a sympathetic review of the case.
In addition, Dr Charl Pretorious, who is a clinical psychologist at St Joseph’s Foundation in Charleville, said Zoe was benefiting hugely from one-to-one support and to remove the five-hour day SNA schedule was very detrimental.
Full Story:www.irishexaminer.com
