Budget cuts last year that yielded savings of €3m are at heart of dispute [Irish Times]
- Published: 20 October 2009
THE BUDGET cuts announced last year in ancillary grants for Protestant schools, covering such expenses as caretaker and secretarial supports, are at the core of the current dispute.
Essentially, all voluntary Protestant schools were removed from the free education scheme, a move that has yielded savings of close to €3 million.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Láinseáil Tonnta [Gaeilge.ie]
- Published: 20 October 2009
Chuir an tAire Oideachais, Caitríona Ruane, béim ar an ról a d'fhéadfaí bheith ag an teicneolaíocht i bhforbairt teanga.
Sin an méid a bhí le rá ag an Aire agus í ag lainseáil Tonnta, togra úr raidió gréasán-bhunaithe do Ghaelscoileanna ag Scoil an Droichid, Béal Feirste.
Dúirt an tAire, "Le blianta beaga anuas, tá fás as cuimse tagtha ar líon na ndaoine de gach aois atá ag iarraidh an Ghaeilge a fhoghlaim agus a labhairt. Tá an-ráchairt ar fad ar áiteanna sna Gaelscoileanna ag gach leibhéal ar fud thuaisceart na hÉireann.
Scéal ina iomláin: http://www.irish.ie
Over 1,500 teachers retired in '09, Dáil hears [RTE.ie]
- Published: 20 October 2009
Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe has acknowledged that the number of teachers retiring from primary and secondary schools so far this year is 'significant.' The latest figures show that 850 primary school teachers and 738 in the secondary system have retired so far in 2009.
Fine Gael's Education Spokesperson Brian Hayes said it was extraordinary that the figures showed that one in every 10 post-primary school principals have stepped down in 2009.
He described it as 'flight' and a very serious loss of experience.
Full Story: http://www.rte.ie
Starting school at four "can cause lasting damage" [Irish Examiner]
- Published: 19 October 2009
OUTDOOR play, music and storytelling are essential ingredients of early childhood development according to a leading educational expert who believes children should not start school at age four.
Sue Palmer, author of Toxic Childhood and 21st Century Boys, believes starting school too young can cause lasting damage to children.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.ie
Demand for Australian visas rises 44% [Irish Examiner]
- Published: 19 October 2009
THE numbers of young Irish people seeking working holiday visas for Australia has increased by 44% since 2005 when this country had near full employment.
Figures from the Australian Embassy also show a near three-fold increase in the past two years in the number of Irish whoapplied to have their year- long visa extended for another year. Over the past year, 21,727 peopleapplied for a second-year visa compared to 7,790 in 2006-2007.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.ie
