€1bn being spent in area of special needs, says Coughlan [IrishTimes]
- Published: 31 March 2010
MINISTER FOR Education and Skills Mary Coughlan told the Dáil that a total of €1 billion, one-ninth of her department’s budget, was being spent in the area of special needs.
“This is the most significant statement of our level of commitment and, despite the current economic difficulties, funding for special education has not been cut.”
The Minister was responding to a Fine Gael Private Members’ motion calling on the Government to freeze the cuts to special needs assistants (SNAs) and introduce an independent appeals system for parents for schools who had already lost one.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Teachers' union rejects public sector pay deal [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 31 March 2010
The union will now recommend rejection of the proposals to its annual Congress.
TUI's annual Congress takes place at the West County Hotel, Ennis, Co Clare on April 6-8.
The Irish National Teachers Organisation is to ballot its members on the deal which seeks reform of the public service in return for a suspension of pay cuts
O'Keeffe: Plan to overhaul VEC to be ready in weeks [learningireland.ie]
- Published: 30 March 2010
PLANS for an overhaul of Vocational Education Committees are to be put before the Cabinet within weeks, according to Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe. Officials are preparing proposals that would see a reduction by up to one-third in the 33 city and county VECs that currently run second-level schools, further education, adult education and other training services. The Bord Snip Nua report last year included a recommendation to cut the number to 22, which Mr O'Keeffe has previously indicated he considers as reasonable.
However, while still in discussions with representatives from the sector, including the umbrella body, the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA), the minister said any changes are more than just about changes in numbers.
Full Story: www.learningireland.ie
Bully school 'didn't follow advice' [Independent.ie]
- Published: 30 March 2010
Barbara Coloroso said she consulted with parents and administrators months before 15-year-old Phoebe Prince hanged herself in January.
Authorities say she endured months of verbal assaults and threats, mostly in school and in person, although some of the bullying occurred on Facebook and in other electronic forms.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Tackle school bullying now [finegael.org]
- Published: 30 March 2010
Tackle school bullying now to ensure children can achieve full potential – Neville
National-Anti Bullying Strategy urgently required for all schools
Children and young people must be taught bullying behaviour is unacceptable
Tackling bullying behaviour at school could have a major knock-on effect in preventing such negative behaviour in later life, according to Dan Neville TD, Fine Gael Spokesman on Mental Health.
“Even though anti-bullying strategies have been proven to work very well in the school environment, the Government has failed to introduce a national strategy to combat this destructive behaviour. The introduction of a national strategy for all schools should be acted upon without delay, so that over the next school year a full anti-bullying strategy can be implemented.
Full Story: www.finegael.org
