40 areas picked for Church to hand over school control [Independent.ie]
- Published: 29 July 2010
THE Department of Education has pinpointed more than 40 areas around the country where it believes a number of Catholic Church-run primary schools could be handed over to be run by another patron.
The department has written to senior bishops stating why it might be appropriate for the church to cede control there.
The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, and chair of the Bishops' Commission for Education, Bishop Leo O'Reilly, were among those who received the letter.
The department has based its figures on a number of criteria, such as a stable population and the number of Catholic schools in the area.
It has not released the list. However, the Irish Independent has learned it is to be split between Dublin and others parts of the country, including Tramore, Co Waterford; Killarney, Co Kerry; Athlone, Co Westmeath; and Ballinasloe, Co Galway. Earlier this year, only 10 areas were under consideration by the department, but that number grew to 40, giving the church greater choice.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Teachers 'to be given promotions on merit' [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 29 July 2010
Education professionals will receive promotions based on their performances in a new scheme to encourage better teaching.
According to the Irish Independent, long-serving individuals will no longer be able to automatically secure promotions unless they have a record of good service to back up their application.
Set to come into force in September this year, the shake-up is hoped to bring about a change in the culture of promotions in schools, offering pay rises worth thousands of euros per year to those with good teaching records.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
Areas pinpointed 'for possible church school hand over' [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 29 July 2010
Some 40 areas of Ireland that are home to Catholic Church-run primary schools have been identified by the Department of Education as potential sites for a handover of management.
According to the Irish Independent, a letter has been sent to high-ranking officials in the church, such as the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, and chair of the Bishops' Commission for Education, Bishop Leo O'Reilly.
It outlined the reasons why the church should give up their control of the schools in the chosen areas, based on the stability of the local population and number of Catholic schools in the regions.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
Teacher promotions to be based more on merit [Independent.ie]
- Published: 28 July 2010
A major shake-up in how teachers are promoted is being introduced from September.
The days are gone when the person with the longest service was in pole position for middle- management posts worth up to €8,520 extra per year.
The new selection process will bring a major culture change in how jobs are awarded in schools and in teacher career expectations.
Coupled with the moratorium on filling many of these posts, it could make the promotion and associated pay rise more elusive for many long-serving teachers.
The traditional system allowed teachers to predict with certain accuracy when to expect promotion, based on projected retirement dates for those ahead of them on the seniority list.
In the future, criteria such as interpersonal and communications skills will carry as much weight as seniority when appointments are being made.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Irish-medium schools funding row [Independent.ie]
- Published: 28 July 2010
The Stormont education minister has approved funding for four new Irish-medium schools even though hundreds of places remain unfilled in existing schools.
Premises in Magherafelt, Limavady, Kilkeel and Ballymena are scheduled to open in September.
However, Ulster Unionist Assembly member Tom Elliott criticised minister Caitriona Ruane for supporting Irish language schools while desks remain unfilled.
The Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA said: "The minister has increased the capital budget of the Irish medium sector five-fold over the past two and half years despite there being a clear under-subscription of some 830 places.
"Today's announcement will do nothing to allay the fear that this minister has no meaningful plan for dealing with a reduced budget and a need to rationalise the entire school estate. This is a fear that exists in all sectors."
Full Story: www.independent.ie
