Pupils and parents to get a say in Junior Cert reforms [Independent.ie]
- Published: 22 April 2010
PUPILS and their parents are getting a say in what changes are needed in the Junior Certificate.
Education Minister Mary Coughlan yesterday launched a consultation process on how students can get more out of the early years at second-level.
While consultation is now embedded in the change process in education, it is the first time pupils have been asked for their views.
Government education advisers have drawn up a discussion paper on change, which highlights the need for greater flexibility in teaching and learning.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Summer works scheme no substitute for investment in school buildings [anphoblacht.com]
- Published: 22 April 2010
Sinn FÉin Dáil spokesperson on education, Senator Pearse Doherty, welcomed Wednesday’s announcement by Minister Mary Coughlan of the summer works programme for summer 2010 but said that this is no substitute for full investment into new school buildings.
He demanded real and proper investment into a school buildings programme that allows for new schools and extensions to be constructed. “Such an investment would not only give much needed improvement to school buildings but would also create much needed employment, especially in areas such as Donegal, where unemployment continues to rise,” he said.
Full Story: www.anphoblacht.com
Harney must tackle childhood obesity [imt.ie]
- Published: 22 April 2010
The Health Minister should implement a parental education campaign aimed at tackling childhood obesity, delegates at the AGM heard.
In a recent world ranking of childhood obesity rates, Ireland ranked in second highest on the list, with only the United States ahead. Dr Mait O’Faolain said that 10 per cent of Irish primary school children are obese, with one in four Irish nine-year-olds overweight.
Full Story: www.imt.ie
Ringing the changes: what's for discussion [Independent.ie]
- Published: 22 April 2010
THE sort of changes under discussion for the Junior Certificate include:
- Freedom for schools to devise some or all of their own courses, rather than sticking rigidly to the Department of Education curriculum.
- Broadening out the qualifications available to include more vocational-style training in modules such as computer skills.
- A range of taster subjects in first year, with a focus on fewer subjects in second and third years, or tasters in years one and two and a narrower focus in year three.
Science moved to the back burner as pupils no longer feel the spark [Independent.ie]
- Published: 21 April 2010
Science subjects are being abandoned at Leaving Cert in many Irish schools as cutbacks take effect and students show little interest in studying Physics and Chemistry.
A recent survey by the ASTI shows how the government faces an uphill battle as it tries to boost the "knowledge economy''.
Its recent pronouncements about improving the scientific literacy of second-level pupils may prove to be as hollow as a Liebig condenser.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
