Classrooms too full to allow pupils to flourish [Independent.ie]
- Published: 08 September 2010
John Williams is not the least surprised at the OECD finding that Irish primary-school classes are among the biggest in Europe.
Every day his staff face the reality of large classes at the Divine Word National School, Marley Grange, Rathfarnham, Co Dublin, where the average class size is 28 and one teacher has to cope with 32 pupils.
"The emphasis in the new curriculum is on active learning but that's very difficult in large classes," said Mr Williams.
"It's also tough on special-needs children who are mainstreamed into larger classes. They are entitled to supports, but if too much time is devoted to them, other pupils can suffer, especially in larger classes."
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Tánaiste opens new sports hall and classroom in St Leonard's National School, Dunamaggin [education.ie]
- Published: 07 September 2010
The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan TD, today opened a new sports hall and classroom in St Leonard's National School, Dunamaggin, Co Kilkenny.
The school has an enrolment of 105 pupils and a staffing allocation of four mainstream teachers, a learning support teacher and one resource teacher.
Speaking at the school, the Tánaiste commended the school's principal, Jackie Delahunty, teachers, pupils and the local community for working so diligently to bring the project to completion.
The Tánaiste also praised the school for its involvement in hurling, with three former past pupils, Noel and Canice Hickey, and David Hickey, on Kilkenny's current hurling panel
'Participation in sports brings an appreciation of personal health and fitness, develops a positive self-image and teaches young people how to work as part of a team,’ said the Tanáiste.
Full Story: www.education.ie
School spend among lowest in Europe [belfasttelegraph.co.uk]
- Published: 07 September 2010
The think-tank report found just 4.7% of taxpayers' money was used in children's schooling in 2007 - compared to an average 6.2%.
The study, compiled by the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), said Ireland had the fourth lowest out of 31 countries.
Education at a Glance 2010, a report on national education, revealed that only the Czech Republic, Italy and Slovakia paid out less.
Sheila Nunan, general secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO), said this was the reason Irish parents had to subsidise their children's schools.
Full Story: www.belfasttelegraph.co.ukESRI warns schools over ghetto risk to immigrants [Independent.ie]
- Published: 07 September 2010
A leading think-tank has warned of the dangers of increasing ghettoisation of schools in Ireland.
The ESRI says half of immigrant primary pupils are in schools with large numbers of children from overseas -- where they make up more than 20pc of the student population.
In comparison, 40pc of the country's 3,300 primary schools have no immigrants at all.
Immigrants are more likely to attend designated disadvantaged schools. The differences between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged schools can be quite stark -- they imply an increasing ghettoisation of those schools designated as disadvantaged.
Immigrants are under-represented in Gaelscoileanna, mainly because of the reluctance of non-English speaking families to learn an additional new language. Higher proportions are found in urban and larger schools and in designated disadvantaged schools.
The study, entitled 'Immigration and School Composition in Ireland' was written by ESRI researchers Delma Byrne, Frances McGinnity, Emer Smyth and Merike Darmody and published in 'Irish Educational Studies'.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Ireland among lowest spenders on education [Independent.ie]
- Published: 07 September 2010
Ireland had one of the lowest education budgets among developed nations as the boom years drew to a close, an independent study revealed today.
The think-tank report found just 4.7pc of taxpayers' money was used in children's schooling in 2007 - compared to an average 6.2pc.
The study, compiled by the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), said Ireland had the fourth lowest out of 31 countries.
Education at a Glance 2010, a report on national education, revealed that only the Czech Republic, Italy and Slovakia paid out less.
Sheila Nunan, general secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO), said this was the reason Irish parents had to subsidise their children's schools.
"For every €7 spent on a primary pupil, nine is spent on second level and 12 is spent on third level," said Ms Nunan.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
