Church happy to debate role of Catholic schools, says Brady [IrishTimes]
- Published: 08 May 2010
THE CATHOLIC Church is willing to be an enthusiastic and constructive partner in the debate about future educational provision, Cardinal Seán Brady said yesterday.
The church, he said, was not interested in retaining schools simply for the sake of having them.
“The belief that the Catholic Church wants to manage as many schools as it can, irrespective of parental demands, is unfounded.”
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Tánaiste opens extension in Scoil Chartha Naofa, Kilcar [education.ie]
- Published: 07 May 2010
The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan TD, today (Friday, May 7th) opened a new €150,000 extension in Scoil Chartha Naofa, Kilcar, Co Donegal.
The school was allocated €120,000 enabling the building of an additional classroom, a learning support room and a resource teaching room.
Speaking at the school, the Tanaiste said: 'This project came about through the dedication and hard work of the local community supported by Government.
'I commend the school's principal, Gabriel Meehan, teachers, parents, pupils and everyone who've worked so hard to bring this project to completion.'
Scoil Chartha Naofa is one of 1,490 schools across the country that will benefit from this year's €122 million Summer Works Scheme.
Under the scheme, the school will have it's boiler replaced.
Full Story: www.education.ie
Sex education isn't good enough, say students [Independent.ie]
- Published: 07 May 2010
SCHOOLS are failing to teach sex and relationships education properly -- according to the pupils themselves.
Not all second-level schools are delivering lessons -- and where they do, they may not be interesting or helpful enough.
The views of 12- to 18-year-olds on the inadequacy of sex education in the classroom are highlighted in a new report.
A survey carried out by teenagers themselves found that only 25pc of pupils had classes in Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE).
And almost 40pc felt that the classes were not very helpful for teenagers who want information about issues such as AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases and contraception.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Parents imprisoned for failing to ensure their children went to school [IrishTimes]
- Published: 07 May 2010
A MOTHER-OF-FIVE has been sentenced to 30 days in jail and a father to 15 days in jail in separate cases, at Tallaght District Court, for failing to ensure their children went to school.
Judge James McDonnell said the case involving the mother of a 15-year-old boy was “one of the most shocking cases of its type” that he had encountered and so merited a custodial sentence.
Penal reform groups criticised the sentences yesterday, saying prison could not address the complex issues lying behind a perceived unwillingness to support a child’s education.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Public sector reform deal is the best we can hope for [IrishTimes]
- Published: 07 May 2010
OPINION: The Croke Park deal on pay and reform is grim but a yes vote will keep the unions in an influential position, writes JOE O'TOOLE
PUBLIC SECTOR workers deciding how to respond to the Croke Park deal find themselves in a conundrum. Inherently they want to do the right thing but they feel it is unfair that they, and private sector colleagues, should have to shoulder the financial consequences of the greedy and reckless policies of our former icons.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
