Home is where the learning is [IrishTimes]
- Published: 26 January 2010
Pre-school children and their parents in some of Dublin’s disadvantaged areas are enjoying the benefit of a novel home learning programme
‘HI JACKIE! Books in your bag, Jackie?” It’s visiting day and my two-year-old son is positively hopping with excitement. Jackie’s weekly visits have become a source of great curiosity and fun for Lúí, one of 46 children currently participating in the Parent Child Home Programme (PCHP) under the auspices of the National College of Ireland’s Early Learning Initiative.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Minister O'Keeffe opens €130,000 extension in Clonakilty school [education.ie]
- Published: 25 January 2010
The Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe TD, today opened a €130,000 extension in Scoil Mhuire Cillmin, Clonakilty, Co Cork.
The extension includes a new classroom, office facilities and resource room.
'The project will facilitate the delivery of a wider range of subjects and an expanded curriculum, complementing the school’s involvement in extra-curricular activities such as music, cooking and drama,’ said Minister O'Keeffe on a visit to the school.
Minister O'Keeffe said Scoil Mhuire Cillmin has been the focal point of the local community since 1972 following the amalgamation of schools in Rossmore and Ballygurteen.
Full Story: www.education.ie
Schools could face massive increase in water bills [advertiser.ie]
- Published: 25 January 2010
Based on a Labour Party survey of water charges in each local authority area, schools in Castlebar and around the county could face an average increase of 100 per cent in their water bills if water conservation measures are not introduced immediately according to Labour Councillor Harry Barrett.
Cllr Barrett stated: “The 1st of January 2010 saw the start of metered water charging in every school across the country and unless water conservation measures are taken to reduce consumption, schools could face massive rises in their current water charges. Minister for Education and Science Batt O’Keeffe has repeatedly told schools to make their capitation grants stretch further. This is just one example of where schools will have to face higher costs but with no extra help from the government to cover the cost. There were no increases in the capitation grants for schools in last December’s budget.”
Full Story: www.advertiser.ie
Special Needs kids suffer with no SNAs [finegael.org]
- Published: 25 January 2010
Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson on Education, Fidelma Healy Eames today (Monday) said the Minister must provide alternative support for children with special needs when reports* of 1200 SNAs (Special Needs Assistants) cease their classroom work this Friday due to cutbacks.
“Through the Government policy of inclusion, the idea behind the SNA was to go give the special needs child a 'level playing field' or, at best, a reasonable chance of keeping up with the mainstream. The Minister must state and account for how this can happen in the absence of the SNA. He has put no other support in place instead. It is not fair to expect the teacher to cope alone. In fact with some teachers having three to four children with special needs in a mainstream class it is just not possible.
Full Story: www.finegael.org
Government policy on children slips - report [IrishTimes]
- Published: 25 January 2010
THE CHILDREN’S Rights Alliance report card has given the Government a D-minus grade in its commitment to children in a report published today.
The alliance monitors progress in the areas of education, health, material wellbeing and safeguarding children. Its audit is verified by an external assessment panel, represented by Ms Justice Catherine McGuinness and Irish Congress of Trade Unions chief executive Sally Anne Kinahan.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
