1,500 complaints about schools in just 18 months [Herald.ie]
- Published: 17 July 2010
MORE than 1,500 complaints were made to the Department of Education about teachers and schools in 18 months, new figures show.
However, not one of these allegations -- no matter how serious -- was investigated by the department as it is not empowered to do so.
Figures released to the Herald under the Freedom of Information Act show a total of 906 complaints were made by parents last year.
And, up to the end of June this year, the amount had reached 572 for 2010.
Logged
Of the complaints made in 2009, 83 were in writing and 823 were by telephone.
Some 97 were against teachers and 589 were against school procedures, while the rest were of "another nature".
Full Story: www.herald.ie
High-speed broadband in just 2% of schools [IrishTimes]
- Published: 17 July 2010
ONLY 2 per cent of schools in Ireland have high-speed broadband, according to information released to Fine Gael education spokesman Fergus O’Dowd.
Responding to the disclosure, the INTO said the lack of broadband was now a major barrier to teachers and pupils using digital technologies.
Overall, the level of broadband connectivity for Irish schools falls well behind the rest of Europe. Only 78 schools, or 2 per cent of the State’s 4,000+ schools, have access to high-speed broadband.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Broadband in schools not up to task, say teachers [Independent.ie]
- Published: 17 July 2010
THE broadband service being offered to Irish schools by the Department of Education is so bad that some have refused it and paid for their own.
Many homes have better connectivity to the internet than the primary and post-primary schools educating 800,000 children every day.
In a week when Taoiseach Brian Cowen is promoting Ireland as an innovation hub, it emerged that only 78 of 4,000 schools -- 2pc -- have high-speed broadband.
The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) said broadband in Irish schools was "not fit for purpose" and was a major barrier to teachers and pupils using new technologies.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Leaving Cert reforms 'on hold' [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 16 July 2010
Plans to revise four Leaving Certificate subject areas are being delayed as a result of budgetary pressures.
According to the Irish Independent, reforms are needed to modernise the curriculum and ensure that pupils are leaving school with the skills they need.
The Department of Education said there is no firm timescale at the moment for the introduction of changes to the syllabus of subjects including engineering technology, art and economics.
Changes to the art curriculum would see students learning about digital media, the publication noted.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
Irish education system 'in major need of reform' [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 16 July 2010
The Irish education system is in major need of reform, an expert has suggested.
Speaking at a recent Intel Education Forum at the Science Gallery in Dublin, Jim O'Hara, managing director of Intel in Ireland, said a smart economy must have a 21st century digital infrastructure, strong research capacity and a solid education system.
"In the business world, companies that succeed over time do so because they invest in people. If you think education is expensive, try ignorance," he commented.
Writing for the Irish Independent, John Kennedy, who attended the event, noted that countries generally inject money into education during an economic downturn.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
