Coughlan rejects proposal for forum on patronage in primary schools [IrishTimes]
- Published: 07 May 2010
ESTABLISHING A national forum on patronage in primary schools has been ruled out by Minister for Education Mary Coughlan.
She was replying to Labour spokesman Ruairí Quinn who asked if she would establish, without prejudice, a forum as suggested by Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin. Mr Quinn said that the Catholic Church was the patron of 92 per cent of all existing 3,175 ordinary primary schools in the State.
When Ms Coughlan, in her first question time as Minister for Education, read a lengthy formal reply, Mr Quinn remarked: “it did not take them long to house train you.” He said the reply was the most disappointing he had heard from someone with the Minister’s experience and maturity.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
A valuable education [Independent.ie]
- Published: 07 May 2010
W HILE no one can say the recession is a good thing, it is true to say that it has certainly spurred a lot of people to go out on their own, with necessity being the mother of all invention. Two women who bit the bullet and did just that are Carmel O'Neill and Sabrina Campbell who decided to set up Little Acorns Montessori Pre-School in St Paul's National School, Lyster Street, Athlone, Co Westmeath last year.
"I was working as a special-needs assistant in St Paul's but I always thought that a pre-school on the grounds would be a brilliant addition," explains O'Neill. "It would mean children who came to the pre-school would find the progression to full primary school much easier," she explains.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
65 inspection reports published on Department's website [education.ie]
- Published: 07 May 2010
A total of 65 school inspection-reports were published today (7 May, 2010) on the Department of Education and Skills' website.
New inspection reports on the web today include:
17 whole-school evaluations (WSE) at primary level
4 whole-school evaluations at post-primary level, including 14 subject inspections and 1 programme evaluation
27 stand-alone subject inspections
1 stand-alone programme evaluation
1 evaluation of a centre for education
Since 6th February 2006, school inspection reports such as WSE and subject Inspections are published on the Department of Education and Skills' website at regular intervals throughout the school year.
Full Story: www.education.ie
Schools outline effect of pupil shutout [goreyecho.ie]
- Published: 06 May 2010
A NUMBER of primary schools from north Wexford told the public meeting in the Amber Springs on Thursday evening last exactly what effect the failure of getting their students into Gorey Community School (GCS) was having on them.
St. Mary’s National School, Ballygarrett:
The parents and staff of Ballygarrett National School have been among the most vociferous against the decision to exclude a number of their students from GCS.
Full Story: www.goreyecho.ie
Schools will no longer close for meetings and in-service days [Independent.ie]
- Published: 06 May 2010
THE nation's school children will have fewer free days in future.
This is because the days when schools close for staff meetings or in-service days are numbered.
The change was signalled in an important clarification last night for teacher unions on the pay deal, which is being put to ballots of members this week.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
