Irish primary school teachers 'paid above average' [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 16 July 2010
Irish primary school teachers are among the world's best paid education professionals.
The Forfas 2010 report presented to the cabinet earlier this week revealed that the starting salary for staff is around 15 per cent more than the OECD average.
It was noted that teachers at the top end of the salary scale bring in around 33 per cent more, the Irish Times reports.
The starting wage for a newly-qualified teacher is 32,000 euros, with an additional 4,918 euros for those with honours degrees.
More experienced teachers can expect to earn around 59,350 euros, plus other allowances.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
Hoctor Calls For Re-Opening Of Knock National School [midlandtribune.ie]
- Published: 15 July 2010
'The appointment of two teachers, a small level of minor refurbishment and the good will of the Minister, is all that is needed to re-open the National School in the charming village of Knock, Roscrea,' says local Fianna Fáil TD, Máire Hoctor.
Deputy Hoctor was speaking in the Dáil last week when she called on Minister Mary Coughlan in the Department of Education and Skills, to re-visit the case very clearly and admirably put forward by the parents of the parish of Kyle and Knock to have their local village school re-opened.
'The Diocese of Killaloe have agreed to resume patronage of the school, a key requirement for the case for re-opening,' says Deputy Hoctor.
'There is a keen and growing demand from local parents, many of them past pupils, to have the school operational again in view of the potential enrolment of 32 pupils for the school year of 2011-2012, says Deputy Hoctor.
Full Story: www.midlandtribune.ie
Proposals will end teaching of ABA, parents claim [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 15 July 2010
PARENTS of children with autism have joined academics and ABA professionals in warning that Department of Education proposals to transform autism education will "eradicate the teaching of ABA in this country" and adversely impact upon a child’s ability to reach its full potential.
Shine, the Irish Progressive Association for Autism, has warned that if the science of Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) is to be effective, it has to be taught to a precise standard which they say will not exist in the Department of Education’s planned mixed model.
Pat McCormack, a Dublin-based parent of a six-year-old girl with autism, said he believes the deal "is nothing short of disaster for our children".
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
Parents 'spending up to 350 euros on school books' [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 15 July 2010
Some parents will be forced to spend up to 350 euros per child on school books this year, it has been revealed.
Research by the Consumers' Association of Ireland (CAI) found that the cost of providing for students in their first and fifth years of secondary school is the highest.
The Department of Education is being urged to take action and stop publishers from creating new editions of books when the curriculum has not changed, the Irish Independent reports.
According to the CAI: "The cost of buying school books is excessive and more needs to be done to lessen the burden on parents".
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
Parents and Principals produce historic document [offalyexpress.ie]
- Published: 14 July 2010
That’s according to “Supporting Each Other – a guide to best practice for the effective partnership between Principals and Parent Associations” which was launched by Tanaiste Mary Coughlan recently.
The publication was jointly developed by the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) and National Parents Council – Primary (NPC–P). It is an historic publication, as it is the first-time that collaboration at this level (between parents and principals) has taken place in the Irish Education System.
Launching the publication, An Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills said it is vital that there are strong and healthy lines of communication between principals and parent associations.
Full Story: www.offalyexpress.ie
