Education dispute over autistic boy resolved [IrishTimes]
- Published: 30 June 2010
A SUPREME Court appeal on behalf of a young boy with autism aimed at compelling the State to fund a special form of education for him has ended by agreement between the sides.
The five-judge court was told yesterday there was no longer an issue over the central matter of the child’s education and on that basis the appeal could be dismissed. Seán Ó Cuanacháin’s parents said afterwards they expect the State to continue funding education for their son.
Seán has been receiving State funding for education since the failure of his High Court action three years ago seeking funding for education according to the specialised system of Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA).
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Language support vital, says INTO [IrishTimes]
- Published: 30 June 2010
THE IRISH National Teachers Organisation (INTO) has warned the Government about the effects of cuts in the number of support language teachers for non-Irish national students.
The level of extra teaching support allocated to schools is determined by the numbers of eligible pupils enrolled and on their language proficiency. INTO said it had examples of schools where the number of pupils without English was increasing while the number of teachers was being cut.
The number of support staff has fallen by nearly 500 over the past year. There are 1,182 language support teachers at primary level and 365 at post-primary level.
Sheila Nunan, general secretary of INTO, said: “Two years’ teaching is only enough for children to develop surface understanding of a language and conversational competence. To get to a standard where newcomer children can learn subjects like science and geography through English takes a further five to seven years.”
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Special needs schemes reinstated [Independent.ie]
- Published: 30 June 2010
Summer schemes for children with special needs which were controversially cut are to be partially reinstated, it has been confirmed.
There was a guarded welcome for news that the Western Education and Library Board had agreed to put part of the scheme in its area back in place, with hopes two other boards involved in the row would follow suit.
The move came after criticism from Assembly members and a call earlier this week from Education Minister Caitriona Ruane for the boards to reconsider their decisions.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Ireland 'to remain multicultural' well into the future [IrishTimes]
- Published: 30 June 2010
IRELAND WILL remain a multicultural country into the future despite the end of a period of mass immigration and it needs to fundamentally review its policies to reflect this, a major study on migration trends has said.
The Trinity Immigration Initiative, a three-year research project, found migrants generally enjoy living in the Republic. However, many face challenges such as racism, language issues and poor delivery of services from the State.
Immigrants primarily decide to come to the country for economic reasons but the longer they stay here, the more likely they are to develop friendships and social networks that persuade them to stay regardless of the economy, it says.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Outdoor play 'is a must for children' [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 30 June 2010
Playing outdoors with other children is an important part of growing up, it has been claimed.
According to the Irish Preschool Playgroup Association (IPPA), many parents are hindering their children's development by wrapping them up in cotton wool.
"Children thrive on the kinds of challenges that naturally occur when playing outside," said Irene Gunning, the organisation's chief executive.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
