Leadership Crisis in Education As 23 Schools Struggle To Find a Principal
- Published: 26 July 2010
Twenty-three primary schools nationwide have had to advertise the position of principal a second time in recent months, due to a lack of applications from aspirant leaders. Nineteen schools have been forced to re-advertise the position an unprecedented three times to secure an adequate number of suitably qualified applicants.
Figures released today (Thursday, 22nd July 2010) by the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) based on their recruitment website, EducationPosts.ie, indicate that an increasing number of class teachers are shunning the position of principal in many schools. July is normally the busiest time of the year for recruitment in schools nationwide.
‘There have been 161 principal positions advertised since January on EducationPosts.ie and the number of schools forced to re-advertise the position of principal has risen by a staggering 54% in the last two months alone’ stated Pat Goff, IPPN President. Almost half of the schools forced to re-advertise are in counties of major population growth such as Dublin and Galway. Three schools are on record as having advertised for a principal on four separate occasions.
Gerry Murphy, Deputy President of the organisation stated ‘the reluctance to apply for principalship in schools is based on a number of factors including excessive workload, the dual role of teaching a class and managing a school, and the absence of a proper step-down process for outgoing principals. Eight years ago there was an average of six applicants per advertised post, but this has dropped to less than two in recent years’.
However, in a recent IPPN survey, job satisfaction in the role scored highly with 76.4% of the 400 principals surveyed stating that they greatly enjoyed their work. Mr Goff, IPPN President, considers this satisfaction rating can improve further if Principals can avail of a ‘step-down’ facility or be given the opportunity of taking up a support teaching role in their schools.
ENDS
Cost of Sending Children to School has Increased, says Children's Charity [barnados.ie]
- Published: 26 July 2010
Children's charity Barnardos today expressed concerns at the rising costs of education for parents and children struggling in the recession. In a survey issued by the organisation, the majority of survey respondents (58%) experienced an increase in the amount they have had to spend on school books this year compared to 2009. This corresponds with recent Consumer Price Index figures which showed that although overall prices were lower by 1.1% compared to May 2009, the cost of education saw a yearly increase of 9.1%.
Fergus Finlay, Barnardos' CEO, said: "This is clearly a worrying trend. Despite the extreme financial pressures facing families with children, the costs associated with sending children to school have actually risen. It is imperative that Government take this into account when considering the upcoming Budget; families who are dependent on social welfare or low incomes absolutely cannot afford any cuts to their income or to supports for their children's education. Children's futures cannot be sacrificed to the recession."
Full Story: www.barnados.ie
Schools readvertise for principal posts [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 24 July 2010
Cork: Some 23 primary schools have readvertised vacant principal posts due to a lack of applications, says the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN).
Some 54% of 161 principal roles posted on EducationPosts.ie in the last two months failed to draw an adequate response, said the group.
School Broadband Stats Show Govt In Dark Ages [waterford-today.ie]
- Published: 24 July 2010
"Irish school children are being left behind our international counter-parts everyday because of a lack of high speed broadband in schools.
"At the rate we are going children in Mongolia will be more prepared for the smart economy than Irish school students.
"The fact that only two per cent of Irish schools have access to high-speed broadband means that the majority of Irish children are not being provided with what is now a vital educational tool - high speed internet access.
"The truth is that high speed broadband is effectively unavailable in Ireland.
"What we have in terms of speed is about 80 times behind India or Japan and about half the speed that is available in France.
"Even Mongolia has better broadband then us!
Full Story: www.waterford-today.ie
Teacher unions back in talks on Croke Park deal [Independent.ie]
- Published: 24 July 2010
DIVIDED teacher unions are back in separate talks with the Department of Education over the controversial Croke Park pay and reform package.
Although the deal was accepted by an overall majority of public sector unions, second-level teachers, members of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) and the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) rejected it. However, ASTI general secretary designate Pat King said they met department officials on Wednesday and both sides put their respective positions.
"Our members have rejected the deal but we are willing to talk about it. We are trying to clarify issues".
And TUI general secretary Peter MacMenamin confirmed that they had also met the department yesterday and advised officials of the position of their members.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
