Minister at odds with UCD over bonus points for maths scheme [Independent.ie]
- Published: 26 June 2010
EDUCATION Minister Mary Coughlan has clashed with UCD over "delays" in agreeing to award bonus points for higher level maths.
Ms Coughlan said she was disappointed that no decision had yet been taken by UCD, which will now not decide its position until September.
It had been indicated to her that the Irish Universities Association (IUA) would take a decision in June and would get back to her then.
While she acknowledged the independence of the universities, she said that they were clear on her perspective and that of various reports that had favoured bonus points.
But UCD vice president for academic affairs, Dr Philip Nolan, said that there was no basis for the assertion that UCD was delaying the process.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Irish schools 'struggling to find principals' [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 25 June 2010
It may be the top job in teaching, but many Irish schools are struggling to recruit principals.
According to the Irish Independent, the number of people applying for headteacher positions had dropped in recent years.
"A few years ago a school could expect an average of five or six applicants for a principal's job. Now some schools are lucky if they get two applicants and posts are remaining unfilled," Sean Cottrell, director of the Irish Primary Principals' Network, told the publication.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
E-net awarded schools broadband contract [businessandleadership.com]
- Published: 25 June 2010
The award is part of the “100Mbps for Schools” project run by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and was announced in the Programme for Government.
Under the terms of the deal, E-net’s fibre will transform the broadband connectivity to these 24 schools, creating the capacity to significantly enrich and enhance the educational experience for thousands of students.
Full Story: www.businessandleadership.com
Principals Urge Parents To Make It A Summer To Remember
- Published: 25 June 2010
The eight year primary school cycle for 50,000 pupils will come to an end today (Friday 25th June) as they will bid farewell to their primary schools for the last time. Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) President, Pat Goff said ‘For many parents, the summer holiday provides a slower pace with fun family outings. This summer, perhaps parents could use the natural amenities around them to increase their children’s awareness and expand and develop their learning. It is well documented that it is beneficial for children to engage in some educational activity over the summer’.
‘Ireland is a children’s paradise and has so much to offer. This summer, parents can make a conscious decision to expose their children to recreational or educational experiences, which can be great fun for everyone involved. This could include free or low cost activities such as visiting places in Ireland that are of cultural, historical or geographical interest. Children may have encountered many of these already through their school curriculum’ continued the IPPN President.
Mr Goff urged parents to focus on the simple things this summer. ‘Basic activities such as picnicking in a beauty spot, visiting an old ruin, organising a team game on the village green. A visit to the seaside can involve more than building sandcastles, it can be the catalyst for developing a lifelong interest in important areas such as renewable energy, erosion or global warming. This recession is offering us all both the opportunity and the reason to return to basics’.
Dr Phil in plea after Phoebe bullying death [Independent.ie]
- Published: 25 June 2010
AMERICAN talk-show host Dr Phil McGraw yesterday called for new measures to prevent bullying in the aftermath of the suicide of Irish schoolgirl Phoebe Prince.
Tragic Phoebe (15), who was originally from Co Clare, took her own life after an orchestrated campaign of hatred against her by classmates in Massachusetts.
Psychologist Dr Phil hosts his own hit television series in which he tackles personal and societal problems.
"It is so out of control," he told a hearing on cyber-bullying in Washington.
"These kids are getting isolated in their homes. They're getting isolated on these computers. And they're getting their reputations ruined.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
