Student chat: what they were saying online [Independent.ie]
- Published: 12 June 2010
"I am delighted with the geography paper, now for maths" -- Sarah
"I am a geography God" -- Joe
"I dropped to ordinary level in geography. I really didn't want to but I had enough of gambling. I wasn't prepared for higher at all. I wasn't alone though. Maths P1 ordinary level was easy enough. I'm delighted" -- Aidan
"Thank God there are only 4 theorems to learn for maths paper 1! Come Monday I'll be panicking, 10 to do for paper 2!" -- John
School library cuts [finegael.org]
- Published: 11 June 2010
Disadvantaged schools still in the dark on library cuts - Hayes
Schools in disadvantaged areas who were warned that their libraries may close due to cutbacks are still in the dark as to what will happen Fine Gael Education Spokesperson, Brian Hayes TD said today (Friday).
Schools around the country that are taking part in the Demonstration Library Project have been warned that some librarians may not be retained forcing libraries to close but the Minister refuses to confirm whether this will happen and what schools will be affected.
“It is simply inexcusable for the Minister for Education to leave the threat of library closures hanging over schools.
“The Demonstration Library Project was set up almost ten years ago and 25 out of the 30 schools that participated in it are DEIS schools, basically meaning that they are in disadvantaged areas. It was aimed to be an intervention at Junior Cert level for children who have had difficulties in school and are at risk of leaving school early. The libraries involved were designed to help boost literacy standards among disadvantaged students by providing reading materials and computers to enhance numeracy and literacy skills
Full Story: www.finegael.org
Reviews called for Leaving Cert and education practices [advertiser.ie]
- Published: 11 June 2010
As the 2010 Leaving Certificate examinations got under way this week a number of changes to exam structures and reference material were being proposed.
The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union has called for an end to the study-and-cram approach to school-leaving exams, claiming it simply encourages young people to learn material by rote for a certain deadline, after which they forget all about it.
“Let’s face facts. The Leaving Certificate doesn’t adequately prepare students for third-level or life outside of education,” said ISSU president Leanne Caulfield. “Thousands of Junior and Leaving Cert students across the country sat down this week to get as much last-minute study done as possible, but the sad reality is that in 48 or even 24 hours’ time, much of this information is gone from their memories forever, replaced with further cramming information that in turn will be forgotten by the weekend to make way for yet more cramming for next week’s exams.”
Full Story: www.advertiser.ie
‘Rejecting deal won’t fill empty principal jobs’ [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 11 June 2010
THE problems faced by schools filling vacant principals’ jobs could be worsened if the Croke Park public service pay deal is rejected, it has been claimed.
The Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) said 15 schools have already had to advertise for a principal at least twice this year and it is aware of a handful of schools in Kerry, Clare and Galway which have placed ads for the third time.
The difficulties have been around for a few years but IPPN president Pat Goff says hundreds more principals may retire before the end of the year if the pay and public service reform deal is not passed by unions next week. The crucial outcome of ballots by SIPTU and IMPACT, both expected to be announced today, will decide how the wider public service union movement votes on rejection or acceptance next week.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
Dempsey welcomes additional funding for St. Oliver’s PP School, Oldcastle [noeldempsey.ie]
- Published: 10 June 2010
Local Minister Noel Dempsey, T.D. today welcomed the announcement made by the Department of Education and Skills that additional funding has been approved for the Relocation of a Lift Shaft at St. Oliver’s PP School in Oldcastle.
Speaking today Minister Dempsey said: “I am very happy that the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills has confirmed to me today that additional funding has been allocated for relocation of a lift shaft. There was concern at this school for students unable to use the stairs. This new facility will improve access within the building and classrooms for students, teachers, parents and visitors. I know this will be very welcome news in the local area.”
Minister Dempsey added: “This Government is committed to providing a mechanism for ensuring that the teaching profession in this country continues to develop. This project of modernising the statutory framework for education is only one part of a wider agenda and I look forward to future developments. I want to thank all the hard working students, teachers and everyone associated with St. Oliver’s PP School in Oldcastle. You are all doing a fantastic job and I encourage you all to work together to ensure that this school continues to be a vital force in the future.”
Full Story: www.noeldempsey.ie
