Parents angry over school bus scheme [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 12 August 2010
Many parents in Ireland are upset over the restrictions to only provide school transport to pupils who live more than three miles from their primary or secondary school.
Meath Chronicle reported that students in the catchment area of Colaiste na hInse in Laytown will lose out as they live just under the three-mile zone from the educational facility.
Speaking to the newspaper, mother Irene O'Donnell said that the regulation was "an old rule and it should be done away with".
Operated by Bus Eireann throughout Ireland, the scheme is carefully monitored, with limited capacity on each school bus.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
'€122 million scheme providing work for thousands of tradespeople this summer' [education.ie]
- Published: 10 August 2010
Tánaiste on-site to monitor success of Summer Works Scheme
The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Ms. Mary Coughlan, T.D., has confirmed that work is well advanced in the majority of schools approved for works this summer under the record €122 million Summer Works Scheme she announced in April.
In total, more than 1,500 primary and post-primary schools were included in the scheme that is funding projects in our schools such as gas, electrical and mechanical works, roof replacements and repairs, window replacement, toilet upgrades, structural improvements and access works.
Conservative estimates indicate that more than 4,400 tradespeople will be kept in work during the summer period on foot of the investment prioritised by the Tánaiste.
Speaking during a visit to St Patrick's National School, Murlog, Co. Donegal, where extensive upgrading works are taking place, the Tánaiste said: 'I prioritised capital investment in summer works in our schools across the country this year, not just with a view to upgrading our education infrastructure, but to create jobs and sustain employment for our hard hit construction workers.
Full Story: www.education.ie
Bishops demand ‘special treatment’ [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 10 August 2010
CATHOLIC bishops have opened almost 30 primary schools in the past decade, but appear to be seeking preferential treatment over other patrons when schools are required in growingareas.
The demand has been made apparently in return for the bishops’ willingness to hand over control of some of its schools in areas where there is little other choice for parents and where no new schools are likely to be sanctioned in the next six years or so. The Episcopal Commission for Education, representing Catholic bishops, who are patrons to 91% of the country’s 3,165 primary schools, is reported to have made the appeal in a submission to a group set up by the Department of Education last year to review the criteria for establishing primary schools.
"It is expected that the preparedness of the Catholic Church to consider transferring ownership in certain circumstances is something which will merit favourable consideration in applications for recognition of new Catholic schools. This would be a reciprocation of goodwill," it said.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
Tánaiste on-site to monitor Summer Works Scheme [sligotoday.ie]
- Published: 10 August 2010
The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Ms. Mary Coughlan, T.D., has confirmed that work is well advanced in the majority of schools approved for works this summer under the record €122 million Summer Works Scheme she announced in April.
In total, more than 1,500 primary and post-primary schools were included in the scheme that is funding projects in our schools such as gas, electrical and mechanical works, roof replacements and repairs, window replacement, toilet upgrades, structural improvements and access works.
Conservative estimates indicate that more than 4,400 tradespeople will be kept in work during the summer period on foot of the investment prioritised by the Tánaiste.
Full Story: www.sligotoday.ie
Blowing the whistle on girls who give up sport too soon [IrishTimes]
- Published: 09 August 2010
AS DERVAL O’ROURKE dipped towards the finishing line at the recent European Athletics Championships in Barcelona her only aim was to close the narrowest of gaps between her and the eventual winner, Nevin Yanit from Turkey.
But with her supreme effort, which clinched the silver medal for the 100 metres hurdles, O’Rourke was playing a part in helping to close an altogether different sort of gap at home – that between the numbers of boys and girls involved in sport.
High-profile successes by Irish sportswomen reinforce the message to teenagers that sport is definitely for girls.
At primary school age, most children are involved in physical activities. But as girls progress through secondary school they are much more likely than boys to opt out, with just over half of them playing sport in their late teens.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
