Number of pupils with only basic English jumps by 600% [belfasttelegraph.co.uk]
- Published: 09 June 2010
The number of children without English as their first language being taught in Northern Ireland's schools has increased by almost 600% in just eight years, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal today.
There are currently 7,899 ‘newcomer children’ in schools here — compared with 1,366 during the 2001/02 school year.
The children — known as ‘English as an Additional Language’ pupils — do not have satisfactory language skills to participate fully in the school curriculum and do not have a language in common with the teacher.
Full Story: www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Tánaiste wishes 116,000 students every success as State exams begin [education.ie]
- Published: 09 June 2010
The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan TD, has wished over 116,000 students across the country every success and the best of luck as they begin the State exams this morning.
The Tánaiste said: 'I want to send my best wishes to all those students sitting the Leaving and Junior certificate examinations over the coming weeks.'
'After many long hours of study and preparation, 55,783 Leaving Certificate students, 57,133 Junior Certificate students and 3,418 Leaving Certificate Applied students finally get the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of a range of subjects and mark an important achievement in their lives.'
Exams in 90 curricular subjects will take place in 4,700 exam centres across the country.
Full Story: www.education.ie
Tánaiste welcomes report which sets out a range of measures to strengthen mathematics [education.ie]
- Published: 09 June 2010
Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan TD, today welcomed the report of the Project Maths Implementation Support Group -an industry/education partnership set up to examine how best stakeholders from business, second level and higher education can work together to achieve the objectives of Project Maths.
Project Maths is a programme of reform in second level schools designed to teach mathematics in a way that promotes enhanced skills and real understanding, where students can appreciate the relevance of what they are learning and its application to everyday life, and how mathematics can be used to solve problems.
Project Maths is already being implemented in 24 project schools and will begin in all second level schools in September.
Full Story: www.education.ie
Tánaiste welcomes report which sets out a range of measures to strengthen mathematics [education.ie]
- Published: 09 June 2010
Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan TD, today welcomed the report of the Project Maths Implementation Support Group -an industry/education partnership set up to examine how best stakeholders from business, second level and higher education can work together to achieve the objectives of Project Maths.
Project Maths is a programme of reform in second level schools designed to teach mathematics in a way that promotes enhanced skills and real understanding, where students can appreciate the relevance of what they are learning and its application to everyday life, and how mathematics can be used to solve problems.
Project Maths is already being implemented in 24 project schools and will begin in all second level schools in September.
Full Story: www.education.ie
Children with regular sleep patterns 'smarter at school' [Independent.ie]
- Published: 08 June 2010
Children who go to bed at the same time every night do better academically, a conference is to hear.
Researchers found that children who had a regular bedtime performed better at languages, reading and maths than those who went to bed at different times.
Scientists at SRI International, an independent American research institute based in California, found the earlier a child went to bed, the better they performed at school.
The study of 8000 children who were aged four concluded those who had less than the recommended 11 hours of sleep each night fell behind in their studies.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
