Call for minister to tell schools to reduce bills facing families [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 27 August 2010
SCHOOLS should be given clear orders from Education Minister Mary Coughlan on restricting families’ bills for uniforms, books and other education costs, the Labour Party insisted.
The Tánaiste told the Irish Examiner this week she has no plan to intervene in the setting of policies by the country’s 4,000 second-level schools in relation to uniforms, despite the wide variation in costs between them.
While many schools allow parents to buy most items where they want, others have been criticised for insisting that pupils are dressed in crested and expensive school track suits, sportswear and jackets.
Labour education spokesman Ruairi Quinn said the minister can no longer wash her hands, as the crippling costs faced by families as children return to school in the coming days is putting unprecedented pressure on many households. The HSE has already paid out just under €59 million under the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance to qualifying families but looks likely to exceed the €82m budget set aside for this year.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
Parents facing delays in back-to-school allowance [Independent.ie]
- Published: 27 August 2010
PARENTS waiting for payment of the back-to-school allowance are facing varying delays, from three days up to a month, in different parts of the country, it emerged yesterday.
The longest delays of up to 30 days are being experienced by parents in Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary.
The average waiting time is 15 days in Wexford, Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny and south Tipperary while there is a five to 10-day delay in Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan.
The fastest issuing of the allowance is through HSE offices in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow, where it takes between three to five days, while in Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath there is a five-day waiting period.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
How to beat the scourge of bullying [advertiser.ie]
- Published: 26 August 2010
Bullying has become a much talked about issue in recent years, and the vast majority of schools now have anti-bullying policies. However schools cannot be successful in their preventative work if they do not get support from home.
It is important that parents also adopt a zero tolerance towards aggressive behaviour by their children, and that they set a good role model for conflict resolution.
Different forms of bullying
Verbal bullying: name-calling, put-downs, spreading rumours, etc.
Physical bullying: includes threats of physical punishments, pushing, kicking, and damage to property, eg, defaced books, torn clothes.
Cyber bullying: use of the internet, email, and mobile phones for abusive behaviour.
Gesture bullying: threatening gestures and glances.
Exclusion: cutting someone out of a group by isolating and ignoring him/her.
Full Story: www.advertiser.ie
Schools urged to cut back on ‘specialised’ uniforms [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 26 August 2010
SCHOOLS have been told by the Government’s consumer watchdog to stop forcing parents to buy expensive uniforms.
But Tánaiste and Education Minister Mary Coughlan has refused to direct schools to avoid policies that restrict parents from getting the best value.
The Department of Social Protection has already paid out close to €60 million in allowances for uniforms and school shoes but looks likely to exceed its €82m budget as 1,000 applications arrive in every day.
The situation is different between schools as there is no standardised policy. Some schools have jumpers, tracksuits, sports gear and jackets which all carry the school crest and can only be bought from one supplier.
"We would urge all school managements to be sensitive to the monetary pressures which prescriptive requirements in relation to school uniforms can place on parents and to minimise costs where possible," National Consumer Agency chief executive Ann Fitzgerald said.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
School eases burden for parents [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 26 August 2010
THE savings a Waterford school provides by allowing families send their children to school in non-specialised uniforms is a big hit with parents.
Sandra Murray has managed to kit out her daughters — Shannon goes into third class next week and Caitlin starts senior infants — for the coming year at Our Lady of Mercy primary school in the city for less than €120.
But a friend with similar-aged girls must pay more than that for each of them because of different policies at their school.
"The only thing that is compulsory for us is the school jumper and school tie, which come to around €33 each.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
