Construction to begin on €486m inner city campus [Independent.ie]
- Published: 22 September 2010
CONSTRUCTION starts within the next fortnight on a €486m project for a major education and health campus that will transform a corner of Dublin's north inner city.
In the short term, the development at Grangegorman will create 450 building jobs for each of the next 10 years.
The longer term vision is for a unified campus for Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) by 2016, a primary school for Dublin 7 Educate Together, mental health facilities and other public amenities, with 1,000 jobs in retail, administration, maintenance and other services.
The project, on the site of the former St Brendan's psychiatric hospital, creates an engine to drive regeneration in a part of the city that has suffered severe disadvantage for decades.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
New school guidelines rule out full face veils [Independent.ie]
- Published: 22 September 2010
The full face veil used by Muslim girls should not be worn in Catholic secondary school, according to new guidelines.
Schools have been given fresh guidelines on dealing with pupils of other faiths -- including those who wish to wear the Muslim veil.
The schools have also been given guidance on how to deal with thorny issues such as sex education and uniforms for the growing number of pupils of different religions.
Practical advice on issues ranging from the wearing of veils by Muslim girls, to assuring parents that the school is not trying to convert pupils to Catholicism, has been issued to the 450 schools.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Government Launches new strategy to dramatically expand international student numbers [education.ie]
- Published: 22 September 2010
Blueprint targets €1.2 billion earnings annually from foreign education sector
The Government today launched a major new strategy aimed at increasing international student numbers in higher education by 50% and in English language schools by 25% by 2015.
On the full implementation of the five year blueprint - Investing in Global Relationships - the international education sector will be worth €1.2 billion per year to the Irish economy by 2015. It is currently worth an estimated €900m annually.
The Government also launched a new immigration regime for international students - reforming entry requirements but imposing safeguards to prevent abuse of the system.
The strategy was launched today by the Taoiseach, Mr Brian Cowen, TD, Tanaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Ms Mary Coughlan TD, and Minister for Justice and Law Reform, Mr Dermot Ahern TD.
The Taoiseach said: "Our aim is for Ireland to be regarded as a world-leading provider of international education. This strategy and new student immigration regime sets out a shared vision for how Ireland can compete to the highest international standards and recruit talented students from overseas."
Full Story: www.education.ie
Brains count for as much as brawn in the army of today [Independent.ie]
- Published: 22 September 2010
The army recruitment slogan promises "a life less ordinary'' -- and that is certainly the way Military College is turning out for cadet Bartley McFadden.
In the morning he might be studying law or history in a sedate lecture theatre. In the afternoon he could be learning to use a rifle, climbing rocks or crawling through trenches on an assault course.
Cadet McFadden, who has been at the Military College on the Curragh for nine months, is one of a growing number of graduates who are ditching desk jobs for careers in the Irish army, navy or air corps.
The 26-year-old from Donegal has a degree in Computers and Electronic Engineering from Trinity College, and worked for the telephone company Ericsson for four years before he joined up.
More than 2,500 young men and women have applied this year for just 30 cadetships in the defence forces.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Funding to start major refurbishment of St. Matthews school gets the go-ahead [shannonside.ie]
- Published: 21 September 2010
Work will soon start on a major refurbishment of St. Matthews National School in Ballymahon.
The Minister for Education has approved funding for the project which is believed to be worth over 1 million Euro.
Principal of the School Herbert Farrell says they are delighted with the announcement.
The present St. Colmcille's School on the Main Street will be completely refurbished and extended and will provide 4 new classrooms, a general purpose hall, a library, a multi-purpose room, general office, staff room and stores.
However, there is scope for a further building work over the next few years within this funding as the school is growing at such a fast rate.
Mr. Farrell says the school has grown from 72 students in 2002 to 240 students at present with 18 teachers and they are in great need of extra space.
Fr. Padraig McGowan, who is on the school's board of managment says it's great news after a number of disappointments over the past few years.
Full Story: www.shannonside.ie
