Department pledges to improve sex education in schools [eecho.ie]
- Published: 14 May 2010
Education chiefs vowed tonight to increase pressure on schools to improve sex education after a shocking survey revealed three-quarters of teenagers are not taught the subject.
The Department of Education said schools are obliged to provide a relationship and sexuality programme to senior pupils and they would be reminded of their commitments.
The Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (Asti) backed the move.
According to a report from Dáil na nOg, which surveyed hundreds of teenagers at school, four out of 10 pupils said the classes were not helpful the way they were taught.
Full Story: www.eecho.ie
International students in €430m boost to economy [Independent.ie]
- Published: 14 May 2010
EVERY full-time overseas student spends €11,000 on accommodation and other living expenses on average annually, a new report reveals.
The expenditure is on top of the tuition fees they pay for their study in Ireland's higher education colleges. These fees vary widely. For instance, Trinity College Dublin charges non-EU students fees ranging from around €16,000 a year for an undergraduate place in arts to €31,000 for a place in medicine.
The report from Enterprise Ireland shows that international students are generating almost €430m for the economy in the current academic year -- €192m in fees and the rest in living costs. But Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Minister Batt O'Keeffe says more must be done to capture a greater share of the market.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Ban on filling crucial posts was 'last straw' [Independent.ie]
- Published: 14 May 2010
THE Government's ban on filling middle-management posts in schools introduced last year was the "last straw" for Margaret Cooney.
For 13 years she relished her job as principal of the Holy Family senior school in Ennis, Co Clare. "I really loved my job but the demands became insatiable," Ms Cooney, who decided to quit last year at 57, told the Irish Independent.
She oversaw major changes in the school with a much more diverse intake including children with special needs, children from overseas and more Traveller children.
She could proudly claim "there was never a day I did not love being in school". But the administrative and paper workload piled up with a raft of new policies and procedures. She was assisted by a middle-management structure, which she regards as crucial to the success of a school.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Nearly 700 principals retired in last two years [IrishTimes]
- Published: 14 May 2010
ALMOST 700 school principals have either retired or moved schools in the last two years.
This unprecedented exodus is creating a huge deficit in leadership experience in primary schools, a conference of deputy principals was told yesterday.
The president of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network, Pat Goff, said this “leadership drain’’ would damage the capacity of the education system.
More than one in five primary school principals left the system in the past two years. The network’s research shows this is due to untenable workload, inadequate administrative support and a lack of middle management structures.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Schools in crisis as workload sparks exodus of principals [Independent.ie]
- Published: 14 May 2010
A LEADERSHIP crisis is engulfing primary schools as principals head for the exit door in record numbers.
An unprecedented 389 principals retired in 2009, new figures reveal. And evidence suggests more than 400 others are set to follow them into early retirement this year.
While many have reached normal retirement age, an increasing number are leaving early because of the growing administrative workload.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
