IPPN

Minister O'Keeffe tells schools to close for first three days of next week [education.ie]

Published: 08 January 2010

The Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe TD, has told all primary and post-primary schools to close on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week due to the bad weather.

Minister O'Keeffe took the decision in the interest of the welfare of school children.

The Minister took the decision following a meeting today [Friday] of the Government's emergency planning group and in the context of the poor weather outlook for the coming days.

Full Story: www.education.ie

Fears for exam students as weather keeps schools closed [Independent.ie]

Published: 08 January 2010

MORE than 3,000 schools will remain shut today as parents face the prospect of widespread closures continuing into next week.

The cold forced about three-quarters of the country's schools to postpone the start of the new term yesterday.

The schools remain shut not just because of treacherous roads and hazardous school grounds, but also, in some cases, because of frozen or leaking pipes or burst heating boilers.

Full Story: www.independent.ie

Schools and severe weather conditions [educatetogether.ie]

Published: 08 January 2010

According to the government’s circular 1995/011

“..it is for school authorities alone to determine whether it is necessary to close due to adverse weather. “

Boards of Management must consider the following issues in deciding whether or not to close schools as a result of serious weather conditions.

Full Story: www.educatetogether.ie

All pupils must be taught how to guard against abuse -- O'Keeffe [Independent.ie]

Published: 07 January 2010

PRIMARY schools will no longer be allowed to opt out of teaching pupils how to protect themselves from abuse.

Hundreds of schools had refused to teach the Stay Safe programme, which trains pupils to recognise and report situations and behaviour that pose a risk of sexual or other abuse.

Full Story: www.independent.ie