Teachers’ supervision and substitution hours may be reduced [Irish Examiner]
- Published: 02 November 2009
SPORTS, drama and trips to help students with exam subjects look set to be further restricted at second level schools which tried to save money on supervision of classes whose teachers take students to those activities, principals have claimed.
Under a scheme to cover absences on uncertified sick leave or when teachers take students on extra curricular or sports trips, schools are allocated funding for 37 hours of substitution or yard supervision for every full-time teacher employed at the school.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.comSchool admissions case study: The headteacher [guardian.co.uk]
- Published: 02 November 2009
Two years ago Norman Hoare hired a private detective to investigate an applicant they suspected was renting a flat to secure a place.
St George's secondary school in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, receives four applications for every one of its 160 places each year. In past years, the headteacher, Norman Hoare, and his deputy conducted their own surveillance of applicants' addresses to make sure they lived in the well-to-do area they claimed to on their application forms.
Full Story: www.guardian.co.uk
Minister O'Keeffe announces €4.2m in grants for high-tech classrooms [Education.ie]
- Published: 02 November 2009
Over 380 primary schools across the country are to get €4.2 million in grants for high-tech equipment over the coming days as part of the Government's efforts to make technology an integral part of the learning process, according to the Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe TD.
Minister O'Keeffe said 383 primary schools in which construction work was completed this year and last year will each get €5,000 per classroom to buy computer hardware, software and digital equipment.
Full Story: www.education.ie
New schools target areas with surging populations [Independent.ie]
- Published: 01 November 2009
Ireland's school-building programme for the next five years will concentrate on areas where population growth is greatest.
Plans seen by the Sunday Independent show that the programme will be concentrated in 15 counties -- Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Louth, Meath, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow -- along with some areas of Dublin.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Junior Cert may be axed to save €30m [Sunday Tribune]
- Published: 01 November 2009
THE cabinet is considering the abolition of the Junior Certificate exam, taken by over 50,000 secondary school students annually, as a radical cost-cutting measure in next month's budget.
The sensational Department of Education proposal has been discussed at the cabinet table, according to Leinster House sources.
Full Story: www.tribune.ie
