Three quarters of parents lose appeal over school places [timesonline.co.uk]
- Published: 30 October 2009
Super-schools, which take children from nursery to A level, a soaring birthrate and immigration were blamed last night for the highest level of failed appeals for primary school places.
The effects of the recession are expected to make it even more difficult for those now applying to win cases in 2010. Three quarters of families were turned down by appeals boards last year, according to government statistics published yesterday.
Full Story: www.timesonline.co.uk
New row over 2,000 retired teachers' test work [Independent.ie]
- Published: 30 October 2009
A fresh row erupted last night over retired teachers going back to work in schools -- this time as examiners and markers.
Figures showed that 2,000 retired people hired for the task earned anything from €1,500 up to €8,000, based on the work involved.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Angry unions will bring country 'to a standstill' [Independent.ie[
- Published: 29 October 2009
PUBLIC sector unions last night vowed to bring the country to a standstill in three weeks' time in protest at the Government's plans to slash their pay bill by €1.3bn.
The nationwide strike action by unions representing some 300,000 workers is planned for November 24 and will affect schools, hospitals, state agencies and local authorities.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Talent & Education [SiliconRepublic.com]
- Published: 29 October 2009
We are close to the end of the first decade of the 21st century and critical failings in our education system in the form of inadequate ICT equipment, training and connectivity are still painfully obvious.
Full Story: www.siliconrepublic.com
Batt O'Keeffe’s new school figures just don’t add up [labour.ie]
- Published: 28 October 2009
Yesterday Minister for Education and Science Batt O’Keeffe reported that 4,700 new school places will be established in 2010. While I wish this were true, a cursory examination of the details shows that Batt O’Keeffe is manipulating the figures.
The six schools that will be built are simply amalgamations of older and smaller schools. There will not be 4,700 additional places in our education system next year. All of the pupils in the existing schools will have to be accommodated in the new schools. In fact, I reckon there will only be 1,404 new places at most. (Details supplied)
Full Story: www.labour.ie
