Unions advise teachers to reject Croke Park pay deal [IrishTimes]
- Published: 04 May 2010
SECONDARY TEACHERS have been advised by their union to reject the Croke Park deal in order to maintain teacher self-esteem and protect working conditions.
The Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) has issued a lengthy bulletin to members outlining the case against the Croke Park deal on public service pay and reform.
The union’s 18,000 members have until May 20th to return their postal ballot. The union has unanimously recommended that members should reject the deal.
The Teachers Union of Ireland is also recommending rejection, but the Irish National Teachers Organisation has advised members to back the deal.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Teacher's Pet: [IrishTimes]
- Published: 04 May 2010
An insider's guide to education
- Will ASTI members defy their executive and vote in favour of the Croke Park deal? That was the question concentrating minds at the conference of some 400 school leaders in Kilkenny at the weekend.
Members of the Joint Managerial Board said the collapse of the Greek economy is building support for the deal. School managers report growing resentment in staff rooms about the lack of real debate on the issue at the recent ASTI conference . There is also anger about a bulletin sent to ASTI members which gives only the downside of the Croke Park deal.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Fat children are still more likely to be bullied -- study [herald.ie]
- Published: 04 May 2010
Although the number of overweight children is rising, a study has found that obese children are still more likely to be bullied by thinner classmates even if they are popular or smart.
Researchers from the University of Michigan found that obese children are picked on more, regardless of gender, race, social skills or academic achievement.
Dr Julie C Lumeng, who led the study, said she found the results slightly surprising and "disturbing".
Full Story: www.herald.ie
State steps up surprise inspections of schools [Independent.ie]
- Published: 04 May 2010
THE Government is increasing surprise inspections in schools after it carried out almost 200 impromptu visits in just three months.
The Department of Education normally relies on the pre-planned Whole School Evaluation (WSE) inspection process, which tips schools off weeks and sometimes months in advance about an inspector's visit.
However, new figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act reveal the country's primary schools were subjected to 190 unannounced inspections in the last three months of 2009.
The inspectorate carried out just six such impromptu visits in the nine months prior to October.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Teacher unions to vote on public sector deal [Independent.ie]
- Published: 04 May 2010
ALMOST 60,000 teachers and institute of technology lecturers will be issued with ballot papers on the beleaguered Croke Park public sector deal this week.
Their votes will have a huge bearing on the outcome of the public sector ballots on the new pay deal.
The Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland has issued a strong 'no' recommendation to members, saying acceptance would result in a worsening of their conditions.
Although a copy of the agreement is made available to members, the union literature does not give both sides of the argument.
It claims the changes could mean that all in-service, parent/teacher meetings and staff meetings could be held outside of school time.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
