Pupils and parents will rate teachers under pilot system [IrishTimes]
- Published: 09 October 2009
PUPILS AND parents will, for the first time, have a role in formally assessing the work of teachers and school principals, under a new Department of Education inspection programme.
The department has confirmed to The Irish Times that the inspection programme will begin in three secondary schools on a pilot basis from later this month.
Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe has also signalled that schools may be obliged to give more information to parents, including on Leaving Cert exam results, under new regulations now being considered.
A sample of pupils and parents will be asked to fill in a questionnaire on all aspects of school life, including the quality of teaching and an assessment of the principal.
Full Story: http://www.irishtimes.com
Section 24 (Education Act) [INTO]
- Published: 09 October 2009
Following protracted and difficult discussions between the teacher unions, managerial authorities and the Department of Education and Science, revised procedures in relation to professional competence issues and general disciplinary matters have been published by the Department of Education and Science.
These discussions took place under the terms of the Towards 2016 Agreement. In these talks, the union made substantial progress in a number of key areas. The procedures are available in DES Circular 0060/2009.
Full Story: http://www.into.ie
Minister to pay for classroom laptops with building funds [Independent.ie]
- Published: 09 October 2009
MILLIONS of euro earmarked for school building this year is to be diverted to pay for long-overdue computers in schools.
A storm erupted yesterday when it emerged that the Department of Education has, so far, spent only 52pc of the 2009 school building budget.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Quality not quantity of teachers 'is key to good education' [Independent.ie]
- Published: 09 October 2009
A ROW erupted last night after a leading international education expert told inspectors that schools could improve with fewer -- but better -- teachers. Fenton Whelan told a conference it was the key way to improve the effectiveness of schools.
Mr Whelan argued that evidence from around the world showed that the quality of teachers was more important than lower pupil-teacher ratios. "Evidence from many educational systems shows that spending more money on education is not the answer," he said. Some of the countries with the highest student learning actually spend least on their school systems, according to Mr Whelan.
Full Story: http://www.independent.ie
Ceann Comhairle lobbied against education cuts [Independent.ie]
- Published: 09 October 2009
EMBATTLED Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue helped angry parents and teachers lobby Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe to reverse controversial education cuts.
Confidential documents obtained by the Irish Independent show that the Dail chairman sent eight letters to Mr O'Keeffe following last year's Budget cuts.
Mr O'Donoghue still holds clinics and deals with queries from constituents. While he is obliged to remain neutral on matters of policy, the Kerry South TD is entitled to pass on representations from voters.
Full Story: http://www.independent.ie
