O'Keeffe surprised at lack of qualified maths teachers [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 16 February 2010
Batt O'Keeffe was commenting on a study by the National Centre for Excellence in Maths and Science.
The Minister says his department's figures would put the number at just over one out of every three teachers.
Dramatic growth and rising costs [Independent.ie]
- Published: 16 February 2010
THE VEC system was established under legislation in 1930 to provide technical and vocational education.
Since then, the VEC sector has grown dramatically and last year cost more than €1bn to run.
Although often associated only with second-level schools, the VECs run a range of other services, including outdoor pursuit centres, Youthreach, prison education, senior traveller training centres, school transport arrangements.
Committees usually have nine councillors -- many TDs and senators cut their political teeth in VECs.
Irish Independent
75% of pre-teens hung up on their mobile phones [tribune.ie]
- Published: 16 February 2010
Mobile phones have become de rigueur among Ireland's pre-teens, with more than three quarters of 9 to 12 year olds now saying they have their own phone, according to a new government funded survey.
In some cases, children told researchers that they got their first mobile phone when they were six or even younger, with more than one fifth saying they had a phone by the age of eight.
Full Story: www.tribune.ie
O'Keeffe to slash number of VECs by third [Independent.ie]
- Published: 16 February 2010
PLANS to slash the number of Vocational Education Committees (VECs) by more than a third will be brought before the cabinet within weeks, the Irish Independent has learned.
Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe is putting the finishing touches to severe cost-cutting measures that will see the number of VECs cut from 33 to around 20.
The move, which will anger some Fianna Fail backbenchers and councillors, had been recommended by Colm McCarthy's Bord Snip Nua report, which said the move would save €3m.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Outcry at go-ahead for new Catholic schools [Independent.ie]
- Published: 16 February 2010
APPROVAL has been given for two new Catholic primary schools -- despite the admission by bishops that the church already has too many.
The decision by Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe has angered Educate Together, which is the patron body for 56 multi-denominational primary schools.
Chief executive Paul Rowe said: "the abundance of Catholic primary schools in the country has been well documented, with the church recently acknowledging an inherent oversupply. Yet new Catholic schools have been announced for Drogheda and Galway."
Full Story: www.independent.ie
