Should schools go all the way with sex education? [Independent.ie]
- Published: 27 January 2010
Many Irish schoolchildren still go through primary and second-level education with little or no sex education.
Although Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) has been mandatory in schools for over a decade, a significant minority of schools still steer clear of it.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Teachers are urged to call off action as 'pupils will lose out' [Independent.ie]
- Published: 26 January 2010
PARENTS are urging teachers to call off industrial action that will cause pupils to lose out on tuition time.
The appeal comes as the public braces itself for the impact of the work-to-rule by public servants in schools, health services and local authorities over pay cuts. The effects include lost tuition time in schools, a refusal by nurses to provide cover for colleagues on leave and local authority customers phone calls going unanswered.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Parents plead with teachers to end industrial action in interests of pupils [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 26 January 2010
PARENTS want teachers to end any industrial action that will directly affect their children’s education, as unions plan to intensify their campaign against pay cuts.
Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe has also expressed hope that teacher unions and others representing public sector workers will take up Labour Relations Commission (LRC) chief executive Kieran Mulvey’s offer to chair talks aimed at resolving differences between unions and the Government and other public service employers.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
Trade unions at the crossroads [IrishTimes]
- Published: 26 January 2010
TRADE UNIONS are at a crossroads. Out of the partnership process for the first time in over two decades, they are faced with unprecedented public hostility over industrial action in the public sector. Against a backdrop where the proportion of workers who are union members has been falling for the past 30 years, the movement now faces inevitable questions over its influence and relevancy into the future.
A debate is going on with the trade union movement about its role and relevance in Irish society in today’s changed circumstances. The participation of unions in partnership played a crucial part in bringing about the most sustained period of economic growth on this island. Yet, there is a feeling within the movement, as Carl O’Brien’s two-part series in this newspaper illustrates, that it has been deeply damaged by the experience.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
O'Keeffe 'not bothered' by ASTI snub [IrishTimes]
- Published: 26 January 2010
CONFERENCE: THE MAIN secondary teachers union ASTI has decided not to invite Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe to its Easter annual conference.
However, a source close to the Minister said yesterday Mr O’Keeffe was “not in the least bothered’’ by the ASTI move, which reflects anger among members at budget pay cuts.
The ASTI executive voted to exclude the Minister from its conference by a narrow majority.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
