Autistic boy without special needs facilities since transfer to new school [IrishTimes]
- Published: 16 March 2010
A young autistic boy who lost special needs facilities when he was transferred from one school to another is seeking a High Court declaration the child is entitled to similar equipment in his new school.
Mr Justice Michael Peart yesterday granted leave to the nine-year-old boy, suing through his father, to bring judicial review proceedings alleging his human and constitutional rights have been breached by the Department of Education’s failure to provide funding for the facilities.
The child had a room in his old school fully equipped with special needs facilities which were installed at a cost of about €41,000.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Teacher's Pet [IrishTimes]
- Published: 16 March 2010
An insider's guide to education
THE REPORT of the Innovation Task Force, launched by Taoiseach Brian Cowen last Thursday, is an impressive document, full of hope and ambition for a new Ireland.
The task force says its report is not just for people in white coats in laboratories; it has a relevance for all citizens. The report also name-checks a long list of people who demonstrate Irish talent on the world stage – including U2 (of course) and actors Saoirse Ronan and Colin Farrell (pictured below). Did the former Castleknock College bad boy ever think he would merit this official seal of approval?
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Importance of education for women and girls on International Women’s Day [foreignaffairs.gov.ie]
- Published: 16 March 2010
Minister of State for Overseas Development, Peter Power TD, today launched the Education for All 2010 Global Monitoring Report, the UNESCO report which tracks progress on the number of children being educated around the globe.
The report highlights progress on the number of children attending school. The number of children out of school has fallen by 33 million since 1999, and the gender gap in primary education is narrowing in many countries.
The launch, which was hosted by Irish Aid, the Government’s programme for overseas development, in its Limerick headquarters, marks International Women’s Day (8th March).
Full Story: www.foreignaffairs.gov.ie
100 teachers sent packing by Ed Minister [finegael.org]
- Published: 16 March 2010
The Minister for Education has confirmed that over 100 teachers working in the professional development section of his Department will now be sent back to their schools following a savage cutback in this area according to information released to Fine Gael Education Spokesman, Brian Hayes TD (see Parliamentary Question at end).
“Minister O’Keeffe has now admitted to me that 100 teachers who have particular expertise in career development for the 55,000 teachers around the country will now be sent packing. The quality of our teachers in our schools makes all the difference. Professional development is at the core of improving standards and developing a more broadly based curriculum. This massive cut from 250 to 150 teachers will set back career development by over a decade and is a short-sighted move on the part of Minister Batt O’Keeffe.
Full Story: www.finegael.org
Special needs in schools: textbook case of an Irish solution to an Irish problem [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 15 March 2010
EDUCATION Minister Batt O’Keeffe has come in for a lot of criticism regarding cuts in special needs assistants (SNAs). Following the strict criteria set out for SNAs, the minister has maintained that "any child who needs a special needs assistant will get one".
Parents of children who are losing an SNA are angry and obviously very aware of the many benefits of having one for their child.
Many of these benfits do not fall within the criteria/job description of an SNA – a situation known to everyone but officially ignored.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
