‘No funds’ for special needs laptop [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 04 February 2010
A NINE-YEAR-OLD boy whose wrists are too weak to write, due to a rare bone disease, cannot get funding to buy a special light touch laptop to keep up with school work.
The Limerick youngster’s condition is not on a Department of Education illness list, it has emerged.
Darragh Hogan is aged nine but his bone size has, so far, developed only to that of a three-year-old.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
Hike is indication that Celtic Tiger 'never went to school' [Independent.ie]
- Published: 03 February 2010
THE INTRODUCTION of metered water charges in schools will put parents and schools under increased financial pressures.
Speaking last week the National Director of the Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN), Sean Cottrell said the introduction of metered water charges from January 1 of this year will place huge pressure on cash strapped school Boards of Management, resulting in greater pressure on parents through increased fundraising and voluntary contributions.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Department of Education initiatives lead to improved pupil retention rates in Cork - McGrath [fiannafail.ie]
- Published: 03 February 2010
Various Department of Education initiatives have led to an improvement in pupil retention rates in Cork City and County, according to Cork South Central T.D. Michael McGrath.
"Pupils who entered the second level education system would be expected to have completed their senior cycle in five to six years. According to the latest retention report published by the Department of Education, average retention rates to leaving certificate for Cork City and County for the 2001 entry cohort were 77% and 83% respectively. These figures represent an improvement on the position for the 1996 intake where retention rates for the City and County were 75% and 81% respectively. Data relating to the cohort of pupils who entered the first year of the junior cycle in 2002 and 2003 will be available later this year," according to Deputy McGrath.
Full Story: www.fiannafail.ie
Dept needs to learn vital lesson [Independent.ie]
- Published: 03 February 2010
THE revelation this week that the children of a Government minister were attending a Malahide school where pupils have been enduring shocking classroom conditions has caused quite a stir. That Minister Sean Haughey is employed at the Department of Education and Science makes it even more incredible and at the same time, indefensible.
Absorbing the myriad of complaints afflicting the temporary buildings at St Oliver Plunkett's NS was akin to taking a step into the third world.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Industrial action by public servants has 'limited' impact [Independent.ie]
- Published: 03 February 2010
THE campaign of industrial action by public servants over the €1bn Budget pay cut has had a "limited" impact.
Senior officials at state departments providing essential services said the national work-to-rule by up to 300,000 state employees has not been highly disruptive, although it has begun to inconvenience the public. The failure of the campaign to have much effect on government policy was demonstrated yesterday as the Taoiseach and Transport Minister Noel Dempsey refused to entertain unions' demands to reverse the pay cut.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
