Minister's bag almost empty of goodies [Independent.ie]
- Published: 05 April 2010
THEY used to be known as the Easter 'goodies', those announcements of more teaching jobs, funding for new buildings or some other worthwhile educational initiative.
No teacher conference in pre-recessionary times was complete without its share of goodies from the visiting education minister.
But not any more. Mary Coughlan has little to give away in her inaugural tour of the conferences this week.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Government fails to serve up free school meals for all [timesonline.co.uk]
- Published: 04 April 2010
THE Scottish government has failed to achieve its goal of extending free school meals to all children in the first three years of education after only one local authority said it intended to meet the pledge this year.
Child poverty campaigners have described the failure to implement the SNP manifesto commitment as a “bitter blow to tens of thousands of families across Scotland”.
The plan to roll out universal free lunches to all pupils in P1-P3 by August was confirmed by ministers two years ago. Critics questioned how local authorities would fund the scheme. With the squeeze on public finances caused by the economic slump, funding has become a more acute problem.
Full Story: www.timesonline.co.uk
Coughlan ranked 'least impressive' [Independent.ie]
- Published: 04 April 2010
MARY Coughlan has been voted the least impressive "business" minister in this government, according to nearly 56 per cent of the respondents to the Sunday Independent Business Leaders Survey 2010.
The poll was sent out before the reshuffle which saw Coughlan's disastrous term as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment end, as the department was broken up and she was moved to be Minister of Education and Skills.
Environment Minister John Gormley was considered the least impressive "business" minister by almost 21 per cent of respondents, with Transport Minister Noel Dempsey picking up over 11 per cent of the vote, well ahead of Finance Minister Brian Lenihan (7.2 per cent) and Communications and Natural Resources Minister Eamon Ryan (5.2 per cent).
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Teachers urge cut in schools run by church [IrishTimes]
- Published: 04 April 2010
MORE THAN 80 per cent of primary teachers believe the Catholic Church should relinquish control of some or all of its schools.
But only 36 per cent believe the State should take over the running of all primary schools. These are the main findings of a comprehensive poll by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) on Catholic school patronage.
The poll comes as the Department of Education drafts an initial list of 10-12 urban areas where it believes the Catholic Church could divest itself of some schools.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Teachers condemn delay in reform [Independent.ie]
- Published: 04 April 2010
Education reform in Northern Ireland has been beset by delay and political prevarication, a teaching union has warned.
Teachers do not even know who their employer is because the picture over the Education and Skills Authority (ESA) is so confused, NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates said.
Members are holding their annual conference over the Easter holiday.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
