Promotions ban move ‘piecemeal, insufficient’ [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 08 April 2010
TEACHERS’ leaders have described efforts by Tánaiste Mary Coughlan to allow schools worst affected by a ban on management promotions as piecemeal and insufficient.
The announcement by the Education Minister at the Teacher’s Union of Ireland (TUI) annual congress that some posts could be reinstated where schools were hit by high numbers of middle management teachers retiring since the promotions ban took effect a year ago. But with little detail of how the scheme will work when it comes into place next September, after hundreds more primary and second level teachers are expected to retire, union leaders described it as simply patching up huge holes in schools’ management structures. The posts which cannot be filled include roles as year heads, co-ordinators of programmes for pupils with special needs or from disadvantaged homes.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
Government ‘undermining’ smart economy [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 08 April 2010
THE "smart economy" sought by Government is being seriously undermined by its own policies and education cutbacks.
Debating motions on the Junior Certificate curriculum and the teaching of science, ASTI education officer Moira Leydon said: "There is the strongest evidence to say that the curriculum is being narrowed seriously."
Michael O’Neill, from New Ross, said: "We have a duty to show up this Government, who talk about the smart economy, but who don’t fund it."
Another speaker likened the teaching of fifth and sixth classes simultaneously as "a return to the Dark Ages."
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
Primary schools to gain from easing of jobs ban [Independent.ie]
- Published: 08 April 2010
THE relaxation of the ban on filling middle-management posts in schools will apply at primary and post-primary level.
Education Minister Mary Coughlan has formally announced a partial lifting of the moratorium, which has left about 1,000 promotional posts unfilled.
Primary teachers warned yesterday that the moratorium was having a very significant demoralising effect in schools.
Teachers are refusing to do the work of an unfilled promotional post, such as assistant principals, year head or exams co-ordinator, as part of their protest against education cuts. Only principal and deputy principal positions are currently being filled.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
It's all your fault, Coughlan told [Independent.ie]
- Published: 08 April 2010
EDUCATION Minister Mary Coughlan was greeted with icy silence from 450 angry delegates at a teachers' conference yesterday -- and then endured a verbal lashing from their leader.
Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) president Don Ryan turned on the minister in her role as Tanaiste and said that the mess the country was in was "totally and absolutely your fault".
The TUI is leading the opposition within the public service to the new pay and reform deal and Mr Ryan said teachers were seething with anger over pay and education cuts.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
University launches new career web service [belfasttelegraph.co.uk]
- Published: 08 April 2010
Queen's University has launched a new website to encourage more pupils to choose a career in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
The website, at www.qub.ac.uk/STEM , offers pupils an easy to use guide to the huge choice of careers and benefits open to them should they choose a STEM degree. On average, early career salaries in science, technology, engineering and maths are £23,000 per year, against a £19,000 average for graduates across all sectors.
Full Story: www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
