Class sizes 'set to rise' in small schools [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 19 December 2011
A reduction in classroom resources for small schools is likely to lead to larger class sizes and multiple groups being taught in the same room.
This is the warning of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO), which stated that cuts announced in this month's Budget statement will see major changes to the way establishments are allocated staff members.
Currently, a school gains a third teacher when it has 49 pupils, but this is set to rise to 56 by the 2014/15 academic year, meaning average class sizes in some locations could be as high as 25 students.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
Minister Quinn announces 56 major school building projects as part of €430m education infrastructure plan for 2012 [education.ie]
- Published: 19 December 2011
Minister Quinn announces 56 major school building projects as part of €430m education infrastructure plan for 2012
56 projects to provide over 15,500 primary and 7,700 second- level places
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn T.D., today announced details of the schools that are planned to advance to construction in 2012.
The major projects due to go to construction next year comprise:
- 26 new schools at primary level
- 12 major extensions at primary level
- 9 new schools at second level
- 9 major extensions at second level
Announcing the programme this morning, the Minister said: “We are prioritising investment in school buildings in line with the Government’s Capital Investment Programme.
Full Story: www.education.ie
Minister Sherlock officially opens new extension at CBS Primary School, Mitchelstown [education.ie]
- Published: 19 December 2011
The Minister for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock T.D., today opened the new extension at CBS Primary School, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork.
Speaking at the event, Minister Sherlock said that he was "delighted to be here today to perform the very pleasant duty of opening the new extension".
Funded under the Department of Education and Skills Devolved Funding Scheme, the new extension includes the addition of two new classrooms.
Minister Sherlock said that "this is a most important achievement for the school. It provides you with greatly enhanced facilities to pursue your many learning goals under the expert guidance of Ms. O'Callaghan and her staff."
The Minister noted during his speech, that this was not his first visit to the school, having visited last year to celebrate the schools second Green Flag and the launching of the schools first E-zine.
Full Story: www.education.ie
Disadvantaged schools will not be as badly hit [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 16 December 2011
THE impact of planned budget cuts on schools in some of the poorest communities is to be eased after pressure from principals on Education Minister Ruairi Quinn.
The effects on dozens of primary schools designated as having the most disadvantaged pupils may not be as harsh after changes were conceded in response to concerns raised by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) and opposition parties this week.
Although the number of teaching posts to be saved is not clear, the Department of Education insisted last night there were unlikely to be additional staffing requirements as it had already set aside unassigned teaching posts for schools likely to be worst affected by last week’s budget. However, it was unable to explain why these arrangements could not, in that case, have been detailed last week to avoid the anger caused by the initial announcement.
Full Story: www.examiner.ie
Extra 'alleviation' teachers to assist hardest hit disadvantaged schools [IrishTimes]
- Published: 16 December 2011
A NUMBER of teaching positions will be made available for “alleviation” measures to disadvantaged schools most affected by budget cuts, the Dáil has heard.
Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn was “very well aware that some schools will be particularly impacted by the withdrawal of legacy disadvantage posts”.
During sharp exchanges about the loss, originally of 428 teaching posts, to disadvantaged schools and those in the Deis (Delivering Equality of opportunity In Education) scheme, Mr Gilmore accused Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald of “making things up” when she hit out at cuts to disadvantaged schools and highlighted the impact on pupils’ development across the State.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
