One-in-four girls physically attacked by primary bullies [Independent.ie]
- Published: 30 August 2010
ONE-in-four girls attending primary school has been subjected to a physical attack by bullies in the previous three months, research reveals.
The newly published study by a Trinity College academic found that girls were slightly more likely to suffer physical violence in primary school rather than post-primary.
But boys remained more likely again to be kicked or punched by bullies in school, with one-in-three being struck in the previous three months.
Just over 7pc of boys in both primary and post-primary schools -- more than one-in-15 -- were physically hurt either once a week or once a day.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Stephen James Minton: Parents and schools must unite to defeat the bullies [Independent.ie]
- Published: 30 August 2010
WHAT can teachers and parents do about school bullying? Firstly, an important factor is to work out precisely what we mean by the term.
Most experts acknowledge a number of key aspects. Firstly, bullying behaviour is aggressive -- verbally, psychologically or physically.
Secondly, it is deliberate on the part of the perpetrator and is generally unprovoked on the part of the victim.
Thirdly, bullying behaviour is repeated or systematic in nature.
Finally, there is an imbalance of power in favour of the perpetrator. This could be physical power -- such as superior size and strength -- or social power. For example, a popular person can deliberately manipulate friendship groups in order to exclude someone.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Parents turn to credit unions for school bills help [Independent.ie]
- Published: 29 August 2010
HARD-PRESSED parents from the dwindling ranks of Ireland's middle and higher income earners are turning in increasing numbers to their local credit union for loans to fund the spiralling cost of sending their children back to school.
With the State unwilling to draw any distinction between the earned and disposable incomes of hundreds of thousands of households, the cost of paying for text books, uniforms and the ever-increasing range of costs associated with Ireland's 'free' education system, is adding to the burden on parents and guardians already struggling with mortgages, car loans, a plethora of Government levies and the basic day-to-day cost of putting food on the table.
When money wasn't an object, we called them the 'coping classes'. But as the relentless grind of the recession continues, middle Ireland's ability to cope would appear to be fading fast.
Not that the Government has any intention of giving the people who pay the most in income tax a break when it matters most.
According to the qualifying criteria for its Back to School Clothing and Footwear Scheme, for instance, a lone parent with one child cannot earn more than €410 a week, while a couple with one child is limited to a joint weekly income of €563.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Ten private schools in Dublin to increase fees by up to 5% [IrishTimes]
- Published: 28 August 2010
TEN private schools in Dublin are increasing their fees, despite the general fall in consumer prices across the economy.
The decision to raise fees – by almost 5 per cent in some cases – reflects strong demand by parents for private education which has been largely unaffected by the economic downturn.
Overall, the total number of students in fee-paying second-level schools this year (26,277) has dipped only marginally on last year.
For the coming academic year, fees at Loreto College on St Stephen’s Green have risen by 4.6 per cent, from €3,530 to €3,700.
Four Dublin Protestant schools: St Andrew’s in Booterstown, Wesley College in Ballinteer, High School in Rathgar and Rathdown School in Glenageary have also raised their fees. The schools in question say their budgets were severely hit by the Government’s controversial withdrawal of a shared €2.8 million support services grant in 2008.
St Andrew’s College has increased its fees from €6,020 to €6,110, a rise of 1.4 per cent. The school says cutbacks in Government funding will cost it some €700,000 in this academic year.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Minister Haughey launches "Which Course Expo 2010" [education.ie]
- Published: 28 August 2010
Seán Haughey TD, Minister for Lifelong Learning today launched the "Which Course Expo 2010" exhibition at the RDS in Dublin.
The exhibition was first held in 2008 and has since become an annual event, run in late August every year.
"Which Course Expo" continues to be the largest exhibition in Ireland to showcase Adult Learning courses, bringing together course providers of academic and back-to-the workplace courses as well as self-development, arts & crafts and leisure pursuits.
Speaking at the RDS, Minister Haughey said, 'As in previous years this exhibition is timed to coincide with the start of the academic year.
'Events such as this are invaluable to learners - enabling them to explore the huge range of opportunities available to them and to identify a course that meets their particular needs.
'This exhibition performs an important role in bringing the provider and learner together.
Full Story: www.education.ie
