Special needs law 'needs to be implemented' [learningireland.ie]
- Published: 09 March 2010
THE Government must put more urgency on implementing laws giving rights to supports in school for children with disabilities, a parents' leader has claimed. The roll-out of the 2004 Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act was put on hold in the October 2008 budget but the revised Programme for Government last October makes a commitment that it will be fully implemented in the lifetime of the Fianna Fáil-Green Party coalition.
Among its provisions are that every child with a special need should have the supports they require set out in an individual education plan (IEP) but sections of the act entitling children to the necessary resources are now on hold due to the Government's budgetary constraints.
Full Story: www.learningireland.ie
Is Facebook failing child victims of paedophiles? [timesonline.co.uk]
- Published: 09 March 2010
Are the criticisms made of Facebook by Ceop — the UK's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre – fair? The social networking site came under attack for a “glaring failure” to take steps recommended by the police to protect children online. The stinging attack followed the conviction yesterday of a man for kidnapping, raping and murdering a teenager after he “friended” her on the social networking site.
Ceop want Facebook to install a button it has created onto its site. The button, which already features prominently on other social networks such as Bebo, would give people access to advice to issues such as bullying and hacking. Crucially, it would also allow them to get in touch with the police if they wanted to. The complaints would be sent to Ceop who would deal with them as quickly as possible. In this way, children’s protection online is put front and centre – not just something companies have to pay lip-service to.
Full Story: www.timesonline.co.uk
FG to urge teachers to end action [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 08 March 2010
TEACHER unions will be urged today by Fine Gael’s education spokesman to end industrial action in schools which has the potential to impact on students and damage public support.
Brian Hayes will also be critical of the Government’s decision before Christmas to walk away from talks with public service unions which could have brought about much-need reforms in the running of schools and other services.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
Flying Colours Or Whitewash? [tribune.ie]
- Published: 08 March 2010
An inquiry ordered by education minister Batt O'Keeffe last week found evidence of a significant increase in the number of students getting top marks in their Leaving Certificate results and in higher education. But just how serious is this for Ireland, as a society and an economy struggling to recover from the depths of recession? Should we be doing more to tackle the seemingly endless rise in grades here, or are our students simply getting better? The Sunday Tribune canvassed the views of a variety of people with an interest in the topic to find out.
Full Story: www.tribune.ie
Primary schools ‘using 1,870 prefabs’ [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 08 March 2010
MANY primary schools are still dependent on renting prefabs to house students, Fine Gael claimed after publishing a breakdown of prefab use in the primary education system.
The figures show that 1,878 prefabs are being used by primary schools around the country, with the highest number being used in Dublin (319) and Cork (233).
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
