Primary school violence 'on the rise' [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 18 June 2010
The number of Irish primary school children behaving violently is on the increase, according to new research.
A study carried out by the Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN) revealed that levels of depression among pupils is also a concern for many head teachers.
Of the 1,050 principals surveyed, 410 said that violent behaviour is more common than it previously was.
IPPN national director Sean Cottrell told the Irish Independent that bullying is also increasing.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
Schools 'face disruption over employment ban' [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 18 June 2010
Many Irish schools are likely to face disruption when the new term begins in September as a result of the government's ban on filling middle management vacancies, it has been reported.
According to the Irish Independent, school heads are "annoyed" over the failure of education minister Mary Coughlan to make good on her recent promise to ease the rules regarding this.
Ministers are currently consulting with the Department of Finance over whether or not schools can be given more leeway.
"The delay will lead to many schools opening in late August and early September without year heads, because there is not enough time left to recruit them," the publication stated.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
Action demanded over pupils who skip school [belfasttelegraph.co.uk]
- Published: 18 June 2010
Action must be taken to combat poor attendance at school by thousands of young people across Northern Ireland.
Figures released by the Department of Education show that in some areas more than four in 10 had an attendance record of less than 85% during the 2007/08 school year.
Education welfare officers are informed if a child’s attendance falls below 85%.
Full Story: www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Thousands of students 'missing school' [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 18 June 2010
Thousands of Irish children are absent from school every day, it has been revealed.
Figures compiled by the National Educational Welfare Board show that an average of 31,500 primary pupils and 26,000 post-primary students were missing daily between 2007 and 2008, the Irish Times reports.
Around 17 per cent of secondary school age children are absent for 20 days or more each year.
Fine Gael education spokesman Brian Hayes described the figures as "disturbing".
"The true depth of the school absentee problem cannot be known as the figures that are being relied upon are two years old," he told the publication.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
Wallace raises Gael Coláiste query regarding teachers [fiannafail.ie]
- Published: 18 June 2010
Mary Wallace TD has asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills Mary Coughlan the way the teacher panel transfer operates in the Vocational Education Committee in relation to bypassing the panel system to ensure that all teachers appointed to a Gael Coláiste have the ability to teach their subject in Irish.
For example if the Gael Coláiste requires a Maths teacher and the existing VEC panel contained Maths teachers whose ability was to teach in English instead of as Gaeilge, would the VEC be in a position in such circumstances to by-pass the panel system to ensure that the Maths teacher appointed is in a position to teach maths as Gaeilge
Deputy Wallace has been advised that each Vocational Education Committee (VEC) is an independent statutory body established under the Vocational Education Act 1930 that the Department of Education and Skills has no direct involvement in the deployment of teachers within individual VECs.
Full Story: www.fiannafail.ie
