Education is an Election Issue [INTO]
- Published: 29 May 2009
27th May 2009
Bye election candidates in the Dublin South Constituency and local election candidates in the Templeogue area will be at:
Members of the media are welcome to attend.
The two primary schools in Knocklyon (St Colmcille's Senior and Junior Schools) show clearly the extent of recent government cutbacks in primary education.
Class sizes are large and set to increase next September when the new school year starts.
Over 500 pupils are in prefabs and a promised building project for both schools has yet to be delivered. The 5% cut in funding for primary school building will further delay this project.
Parents have to fundraise to make up significant funding shortfalls particularly in the area of sports equipment and school computers.
There will be reduced funding to special needs children in the schools because resource grants have been abolished.
Funding for free books which were available to necessitous children have been withdrawn and the schools will not have the resources to help families struggling with the effects of unemployment and poverty.
Additional funding for Traveller children in the school has been cutback.
Govt 'not ready' for free pre-school [Irish Times]
- Published: 25 May 2009
Source: Irish Times
CHARLIE TAYLOR
The Government has made no effort to cushion children from the impact of the recession and is completely unprepared for the introduction of universal pre-school education next year, the Labour Party claimed today.
Announcing details of its new children's manifesto in Dublin this afternoon, the Labour Party's leader Eamon Gilmore said he believed that Fianna Fáil's late conversion to universal pre-school education was more to do with saving money than creating a high quality school system for children.
"With only seven months to go before every three-year-old will be entitled to a free year of pre-school education, we still do not know what curriculum they will be following, if any, or if there are enough places or qualified staff to meet demand," he said.
Mr Gilmore claimed that instead of protecting children from the impact of the recession, the Government had increased class sizes, abolished book grants for disadvantaged children, and cut resources for children with special needs and for those at risk of dropping out of school.
He said that despite a decade of unprecedented economic growth in Ireland, there were huge gaps in investment and services for children. Mr Gilmore said that Fianna Fáil's close relationship with the construction industry meant that a whole generation of children were growing up in suburbs where safe places to play, childcare facilities, schools and even pathways were insufficient.
The Labour Party said that if it were to serve in government it would reinstate the school book grant for disadvantaged students and reverse the decision to axe special needs classes.
Among other promises included in the party's children's manifesto are the introduction of a legal right for parents to take a career break without risking future benefits or job security and of the HPV vaccine for young teenage girls.
The Labour Party also said it would introduce an arts, cultural and sports-based summer recreation programme for young people and make PE a Junior Certificate and Leaving Cert subject.
In addition, the party in government would mandate RTÉ to provide children's programming during the day when there would be no advertising allowed.
Statement by the Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe TD, on the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse [DES]
- Published: 20 May 2009
Source: DES
On behalf of the Government, I welcome the Report published today by the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse setting out its detailed findings and recommendations after an extensive and thorough inquiry over several years.
It has to be appreciated that the report is quite a lengthy document which will take some time to consider.
However, I would like to assure all concerned and the general public that the Government will carefully study the findings and recommendations in the Report.
At this time, I wish to extend my sincere and profound sympathy to those who were subjected to abuse while resident in industrial schools or other places where, as children, they should have felt safe and protected.
Child abuse is an abhorrent, inexcusable act whenever and wherever it occurs.
In May 1999, when the then Taoiseach, on behalf of the citizens of Ireland, issued an apology to victims of childhood abuse, he was acknowledging the reality that many children suffered abuse while under the care of the State and that there was a collective failure to provide them with the care and protection to which they were entitled.
Unfortunately, we cannot undo the wrongs of the past.
However, as a responsible and caring society, we must fully face up to the fact that wrong was done and we must learn from the mistakes of the past.
It should be acknowledged that it would not have been possible for the Commission to carry out its in-depth inquiry and reach its considered findings without the co-operation and participation of those who volunteered to give evidence before the Commission of the abuse they suffered.
I would like to pay special tribute to the victims for the courage they showed in coming forward and recounting their experiences through what the report acknowledges was clearly a very painful process.
By doing so, they have enabled the Commission to fulfil its statutory functions including publication of this report.
I sincerely hope that by being provided with a forum to recount their experiences, they now feel that they have a voice, that they have been heard and that, as a country, we acknowledge the hurt that they have experienced.
I would also like, on behalf of the Government, to thank the Commission under the chairmanship of Judge Sean Ryan for providing such an important and valuable Report.
I would also like to pay tribute to the contribution of Judge Mary Laffoy who led the Commission in its early years.
The establishment of the Commission was one element of the Government's response to the situation of the former residents of the institutions covered by the report.
In addition the Government established a statutory Redress Board to provide financial redress to victims.
The Board offered an alternative to the often daunting prospect of bringing a claim for damages through the Court system.
The Education Finance Board was also established to provide grants to former residents and their families to allow them to avail of educational programmes.
The provision of a dedicated counselling service and a variety of other support services for victims were also introduced, including the funding of a number of survivor groups both in Ireland and the UK and an information and tracing service (Origins) which is operated by Barnardos.
Children First, the National Child Protection Guidelines were introduced in 1999 by the Department of Health and Children.
The Children First guidelines make very clear the reporting and investigation mechanisms to be followed in cases of suspected child abuse wherever they occur, and the lead role of the HSE.
The national guidelines are currently being reviewed. This review will take account of any recommendations made in the Commission's Report.
All schools have been provided with child protection guidelines which are based on Children First.
In addition, a range of other initiatives have been put in place in schools, including the Stay Safe programme, Social, Personal and Health Education and Internet Safety guidelines, with a view to educating students in relation to issues of personal health, wellbeing and safety.
Vetting arrangements were introduced in September 2006 for vetting of new teachers at the time of their initial registration with the Teaching Council.
The vetting of any person being appointed to a teaching position who has not been employed in the school system in the previous three years is also required.
The procedures also apply to prospective employees for posts that involve working with children such as Special Needs Assistants, bus drivers, bus escorts to children with special needs, caretakers and other ancillary staff in schools.
As the expansion of service by the Garda Vetting Unit is rolled out, consultations have recently got underway with the relevant education stakeholders on how best to introduce vetting of existing teachers and other existing education staff working with children.
The Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children recommended that the Government prepare and publish legislation in relation to a statutory scheme for vetting.
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, in consultation with his Government colleagues, has commenced the process of preparing the relevant legislation.
The Childcare (Collection and Exchange of Information) Bill is included in the Government's Legislative Programme for the Spring Session 2009.
As previously stated, it will take some time to study the report and give a considered response.
I again offer my assurances that the Government will carefully study the findings and recommendations in the Report to ensure that they are fully considered in light of current practices so that our children enjoy the highest standards of care and protection.
It is also important to state that, while the Government can put in place procedures and measures for the protection of our children, we all, as a society, must be alert to the dangers which exist, be vigilant to what is going on in our own communities and to have the courage to intervene where the wellbeing of a child is at risk.
Jobs freeze will force principals to clean up after pupils [indpendent.ie]
- Published: 19 May 2009
Source: indpendent.ie
By John Walshe Education Editor
Tuesday May 19 2009
school principals could end up cleaning toilets and classrooms in September.
The revelation follows confirmation that the country's 91 community and comprehensive schools will be hit by the public service jobs embargo.
As a result, they will be unable to replace caretakers, cleaners or secretaries who retire or are on short-term contracts and have to be let go.
The disclosure is another blow for the sector, which is losing a record number of principals. Already 20 principals have announced their intention to retire this year.
The sector, which caters for 52,000 students, claims to be the worst hit by education cuts and the jobs embargo. The Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools (ACCS) says the moratorium will have disproportionate effects on its members.
Regardless
ACCS general secretary Ciaran Flynn told the Irish Independent: "If a clerical officer retires, takes parental or carers leave, job-shares, is out sick for an extended period, or is out on maternity leave they will not be replaced."
"This is in contrast with private secondary schools where each school is given a sum of public money to employ secretarial staff and this will continue regardless."
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said schools where a vacant post was subject to the moratorium should contact the department.
"If, having considered the request, the department is also of the view that the vacancy should be filled, the department will communicate and engage directly with the Department of Finance on the matter," he said.
But Fine Gael education spokesperson Brian Hayes said the embargo was "unbelievable" and should be reversed for these schools. It should not be left to the "Stalinist approach" of the department to decide which schools would get cleaners.
The ACCS warned principals could end up with a range of extra duties, including:
* Cleaning toilets, classrooms, offices and corridors.
* Overseeing the pastoral care and class tutor work.
* Opening, closing, securing, and maintaining the school, and moving furniture.
* Ensuring students' safety.
* Taking in and receipting all monies, payment of invoices and compiling the payroll for non-teaching staff.
* Organising work placements for students.
Mr Flynn said the separate moratorium on middle management promotions would have a huge impact as well.
"I am aware of one school where seven assistant principals will be retiring at the end of the school year and will not be replaced," he said.
"As the paid substitution available will be pathetically small next year, once again the principal and deputy principal are the only ones who will take up the slack."
- John Walshe Education Editor
Schools pushed to limit by baby boomers [independent.ie]
- Published: 19 May 2009
Source: independent.ie
By John Walshe Education Editor
Tuesday May 19 2009
Ireland's baby boom is putting the school system under severe strain as school enrolments continue to rise.
New schools will be needed from next year to cope with the explosion in pupil numbers, a study commissioned by the Department of Education and Science has concluded.
Latest figures show the number of births last year soared to 72,000, compared with a low of 48,255 15 years ago.
The jump means the primary school-going population will remain over the half-million mark for the foreseeable future.
Nine years ago, it had dropped to below 440,000 but the spurt in growth began in 2005 when enrolments jumped to 457,889 and have been increasing steadily since.
The increase will eventually work its way through to second level where a rise of 51,500 pupils is expected by 2016. This could mean, in theory, that up to 51 new post-primary schools will be needed, but some pupils will be accommodated in existing schools.
The study has been conducted using data from the Central Statistics Office, the General Register Office and the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
The main drivers of enrolments at primary level are birth rates and the extent of both internal and inward migration.
Migration
A spokesman for the department said its Geographical Information System used the latest technology to help plan the location of schools in the future.
"Colour-coded maps show where the most pressing demand for places will be, so that we can more accurately plan for future accommodation needs based on identified demographic trends," he added.
He said the Government was prioritising the schools capital programme, which this year amounted to a record €610m, compared with a spend last year of €586m.
But INTO general secretary John Carr said the new figures showed the scale of the task facing the department. "The birth rate has increased by more than 40pc in recent years. This means additional schools, classrooms and teachers will have to be provided. The department will have to streamline procedures. Timeframes for the delivery of new schools and classrooms must be shortened.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe announced that, for the first time, universities will benefit from a small-scale buildings works scheme worth €40m this year. Until now, the scheme was confined to institutes of technology.
The scope of works under the scheme has been broadened to cover the upgrade of information communications technology and investment in science facilities.
- John Walshe Education Editor
