Bullies use 'gay' taunts to target 10-year-olds in primary school [Independent.ie]
- Published: 06 February 2010
BOYS as young as 10 are being subjected to homophobic taunts in school calling them "gay and lesbian".
A new survey of almost 2,000 parents suggests the greatest insult to a schoolboy is calling him a "girl, woman, or gay".
It also found young men presumed to be homosexual by their peers are a target for bullying.
Similarly, young men who are open and honest about their feelings are easier targets for homophobic bullying.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
State aids payment of €30m-plus to unions [IrishTimes]
- Published: 06 February 2010
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS and agencies facilitated the deduction of over €30 million in trade union subscriptions from the pay of public service staff last year, it has emerged.
Public service staff were also allowed to take nearly 1,600 days in special paid leave to attend union conferences, meetings or training courses last year.
The details were secured by Fine Gael Deputy Leo Varadkar in reply to a series of parliamentary questions tabled in recent days to various Government Ministers.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Protecting the disabled from abuse [IrishTimes]
- Published: 06 February 2010
Madam, – Thank you for highlighting the important issues surrounding the disgraceful position in which we find ourselves (Carl O’Brien, Invisible Lives, Features, February 2nd 3rd).
We cannot confirm that those of us who are born with different bodies or brains, or who have the misfortune of acquiring a brain injury later in life, are being supported in a safe, caring and nurturing environment, subject to minimum standards. Such failures are simply a question of money and we should be ashamed as a country.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
School staff could qualify as teachers without formal training [Guardian.co.uk]
- Published: 05 February 2010
In a bid to increase the quality of teaching, state school staff could qualify as teachers without formal training by demonstrating their skills in the classroom, it was revealed today.
Among those likely to be eligible are instructors in subjects such as music or PE in specialist schools, and lecturers from further education colleges who are teaching the new flagship diploma courses.
Full Story: www.guardian.co.uk
Huge take up of Free Pre - School Year [barryandrews.com]
- Published: 05 February 2010
Over 51,000 children have registered to take part in the Early Childhood Care and Education scheme from January 2010. This is the first time that a free pre-school year has been made available on a universal basis to all children in the year prior to starting primary school.
Announcing the figures this evening, Minister Andrews said, “I am delighted with the strong take up for the free pre-school year. To reach a figure in excess of 50,000 participating children in the first year of the scheme is a tremendous success. The officials in my Department have done Trojan work to ensure the success of the scheme. The value of the universal provision of pre-school will be seen as these children make their way through the primary education system. It is an historic step and must be built on into the future. I have no doubt that in the years to come we will look back on this initiative as an important step in our children’s development and society’s appreciation of the role of early years care and education.”
Full Story: www.barryandrews.com
