John Walshe: Primary teaching jobs are now in a class of their own [Independent.ie]
- Published: 13 May 2010
IF you're looking for a permanent, pensionable job in an uncertain future, try primary teaching.
It's a pretty safe bet for the next decade for two reasons: the baby boom and the Greens.
With graduate unemployment soaring to an unheard of 10pc, primary teachers are quietly thanking their lucky stars.
A survey last year by the Higher Education Authority found the jobless rate among the 1,400 newly-qualified Bachelor of Education graduates was only 2.4pc.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Dept of Education is running to stand still [labour.ie]
- Published: 13 May 2010
Today's announcement of 1000 new teachers is like throwing a small bucket of water on an enormous fire. Some may welcome today's decision, but it is merely confirmation of how Fianna Fail have run our education system into the ground.
We knew this crisis was coming but the Department of Education has only realised there is a huge population growth in our education system. The new school term starts in less than five months and these teachers still have to be recruited. I do not expect all of these positions to be filled in such a short space of time.
The Tánaiste should also clarify where the funding for these posts is coming from. It has been suggested that €40 million will have to be re-allocated from the Education budget to pay for these posts. This seems like robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Full Story: www.labour.ie
Tackling illiteracy [IrishTimes]
- Published: 13 May 2010
THERE IS a natural tendency to deny uncomfortable truths. Such a response may involve the individuals directly affected; the society that feels under pressure or the organisations with responsibility for the issue. Being unable to read or write is one such uncomfortable truth. And the problem will not be adequately addressed until it is tackled at source.
RTÉ, in association with the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), is currently broadcasting a series of television programmes that explore the life-enhancing benefits that literacy can bring to those who return to adult education. Being unable to read a medical leaflet or sit a test for a driving licence can be humiliating. Such individuals tend to hide their difficulties. The RTÉ series emphasises the availability of help through VEC programmes and encourages more extensive participation.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
2,000 new teaching jobs as pupil numbers soar [Independent.ie]
- Published: 13 May 2010
MORE than 1,000 new teaching jobs will be created by September -- with a further 1,000 expected next year.
The jobs are being given the green light because of a huge surge in the number of full-time students, which now tops one million for the first time in the history of the State. They are in addition to the hundreds of posts that have to be filled annually due to retirements.
They also come on top of the 500 teaching positions that are currently being filled as part of Fianna Fail's deal with the Greens to keep them in government.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
An Taoiseach presents Sean Lemass Awards for Enterprise to second level students. [education.ie]
- Published: 13 May 2010
The Taoiseach, Brian Cowen T.D. congratulated the winners of the Sean Lemass Awards for Enterprise as he presented the awards to the top three winners. The winners were selected from both the Student Enterprise Awards, organised by the County/City Enterprise Boards and the Transition Year Mini-Company Get Up and Go competitions, organised by the Second Level Support Service funded by the Department of Education and Skills.
The introduction of the Sean Lemass Award reflects a commitment in the Government strategy Building Ireland's Smart Economy: A Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal to raise the profile of these competitions and encourage more second level students to participate in enterprise programmes.
It also commemorates the role of Sean Lemass in promoting Ireland's industry and developing its infrastructure. He was instrumental in founding Bord na Móna, Aer Lingus and Irish Shipping and did much to establish Ireland as an open enterprising and modern economy.
Full Story: www.education.ie
