Why Catholic transfers are still a long way off [Independent.ie]
- Published: 04 August 2010
DON'T hold your breath -- there won't be a massive handover of primary schools by the Catholic Church just yet.
In the 'new-speak' of the Department of Education's press release, the Church has to "trial the modalities" by which the number of Catholic schools can be reduced. Put in plain English, a few pilot schemes will have to be selected before real progress can be made.
The decision on which particular Catholic school or schools are to be "trialled" will ultimately rest with the bishop, as patron, and the Catholic community in the parish concerned.
It must follow consultation with the parent body and staff of the school, the department said. And therein lies the nub of one of the problems.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Church won't hand over schools without extensive consultation [Independent.ie]
- Published: 04 August 2010
THE Catholic Church is insisting on an extensive consultation process with parents before it starts to hand over some of its schools.
The church made its position clear last night after the Department of Education published a list of areas where there are too many Catholic schools for the population.
The publication of the list is the latest development in a long saga which will eventually change the face of Irish education. It will mean a reduced, but still significant, role for the church in primary schools.
The department has identified 10 areas that could be looked at initially -- four are in Dublin and six are in small and mid-sized towns around the country.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Tánaiste makes it easier for teachers to access 'Cycle to Work' scheme [education.ie]
- Published: 04 August 2010
The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan TD, today confirmed reform to the 'Cycle to Work' scheme for teachers and school staff.
The 'Cycle to Work' scheme allows a benefit-in-kind tax exemption to apply where an employee agrees to forego or sacrifice part of his or her salary to permit his or her employer to purchase a new bicycle, and/or bicycle safety equipment, up to a value of €1,000 on his or her behalf.
The employee does not pay tax, PRSI, income levy or pension related deduction on the remuneration sacrificed.
Publishing a revised circular for schools on the scheme, the Tánaiste said that some of the feedback she had received on the 2010 scheme, 'Highlighted the need for more flexibility and an extended application period to allow teachers and school staff avail of the benefits of the 'Cycle to Work' scheme.
The revised scheme for 2011 will allow teachers returning to work this September to apply for the scheme, and salary deduction in 2011, until May of next year.
Full Story: www.education.ie
Church to consider school patronage move [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 04 August 2010
THE next move towards handing over patronage of some primary schools has been left up to Catholic bishops after the identification of 43 areas where there is potential to give up control.
However, it is likely to be at least two years before any schools may change hands as a major consultation process gets under way.
The Department of Education has identified a number of towns after the hierarchy requested its help in finding where there might be most pressing demand for non-Catholic schools.
The 43 areas have had a relatively stable population over the past decade, meaning they are not likely to need significant investment in school buildings between now and 2016, but only 12 out of more than 200 primary schools in the towns are multi-denominational.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
Father of suicide girl hits out at her school [Independent.ie]
- Published: 03 August 2010
THE father of Phoebe Prince, who died by suicide after a campaign of bullying against her, has criticised the US school where she was targeted, writes Colin Gleeson.
The 15-year-old Irish schoolgirl took her life in January after being tormented by a gang of bullies in her US school in Massachusetts.
Jeremy Prince, a gardener from Co Clare, said his daughter felt there was no point in telling her family about the bullying.
"Phoebe's perception -- and I think it was the correct one -- is that if she had told us, we would have been down at the school ranting and raving, but that the school would not do anything about it and it would actually get worse," he said.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
