Pupils worst in EU for foreign languages [Independent.ie]
- Published: 25 September 2010
Irish schoolchildren are the worst in Europe for learning foreign languages. Almost one-fifth of teenagers leave school without a foreign language, according to a new study.
The average secondary school student in Europe was learning more than one foreign language in 2008, but 19pc of their Irish counterparts left school without one.
Only 3pc of Irish primary school students learn a foreign language, lagging well behind the EU average of 79pc.
But the figures could be skewed in favour of non-English speaking countries.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
School pulls out of cross-community project [impartialreporter.ie]
- Published: 24 September 2010
A maintained primary school in Fermanagh has pulled out of a cross community project with a controlled school, The Impartial Reporter understands.
St. Mary’s in Brookeborough will no longer participate with Brookeborough Primary School in the Fermanagh Trust’s Shared Education Programme.
One concerned parent has written to The Impartial Reporter this week expressing her “disappointment” at the move by St. Mary’s.
She says she feels saddened that all the children at the school will now “lose out” on taking part in the “fantastic” programme.
Brookeborough Primary School will now share the project with St. Eugene’s Primary School, Knocks, which had already been linked to both schools in the scheme.
Full Story: www.impartialreporter.ie
Homily of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin for the Opening of the School Year 2010 [catholicbishops.ie]
- Published: 23 September 2010
We remember in our prayer to God in the first place the children of all ages who frequent our schools and the parents who entrust their children to our care.
We remember children who have special needs; we remember those children who have come to our shores from abroad; we think of those who are just beginning their life in school.
With them we remember the teachers and others who provide support and liaison with parents, the principals and the boards of management, as well as the diocesan offices for education and the schools advisors. I greet representatives of CORI and the new educational trusts established by religious congregations.
I welcome the representatives of teacher’s organizations, the local authorities and of the Department of Education.
Full Story: www.catholicbishops.ie
School inspections are fair and based on facts [belfasttelegraph.co.uk]
- Published: 23 September 2010
During the process of the inspection of a school by the Education and Training Inspectorate, the members of the inspection team take full cognisance of the context in which the school is operating and of the community which it serves; and do so as an intrinsic part of the inspection process.
Furthermore, when evaluating the achievements of the pupils, the members of the inspection team compare the school's performance figures with schools of a similar type. To do anything less would be unfair to both the pupils and teachers alike.
The ETI aim is to promote improvement in the interests of all learners. To achieve this aim, inspections look much further than just examination results.
Full Story: www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Gaelscoil's new site sale gets greeen light [nationalist.ie]
- Published: 22 September 2010
South Tipperary Co. Council's public representatives unanimously gave the go ahead at their September meeting to proceed with the sale of the site of just under 1.4acres to the Department of Education and Skills.
The Council's solicitor has now forwarded the decision to the Minister for Education. Council spokesman John O'Mahoney said that all remained to be done was to complete the legal formalities and payment.
He said the Council hoped to finalise the sale within the next few months.
Gaelscoil Chluain Meala has rented the Council's former offices in Irishtown since it was first founded in 1994 and over the past 16 year staff and parents have campaigned for a permanent home for the school.
Full Story: www.nationalist.ie
