Cuts 'could squeeze small schools out of existence' [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 16 December 2011
The survival of many small primary schools could be under threat as a result of cuts to the education system in Ireland.
This is the warning of the Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN), which has stated it is dismayed at both the range and depth of reductions announced in last week's Budget, RTE reports.
A survey conducted by the organisation in the last few days has estimated up to 730 teachers could be lost from 470 schools over the next three years.
It stated there are other ways of addressing the needs of smaller educational establishments without forcing closures.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
Teachers' watchdog pushed for 20pc hike to outgoing boss's salary [Independent.ie]
- Published: 16 December 2011
THE teaching standards watchdog voted for a major salary hike for its outgoing boss, which would have boosted her pension by tens of thousands of euro.
The Irish Independent has learnt that the board of the Teaching Council sought a 20pc pay rise for its €105,000-a-year director Aine Lawlor, who retired a fortnight ago.
If the move had been successful, Ms Lawlor would also have seen her retirement lump sum increased by €33,000 and her pension boosted by more than €10,000 a year.
The proposal was instigated last year but remained on the table until September, just weeks before Ms Lawlor retired.
However, it was shot down by the Department of Education, which refused to sanction such a pay hike in the current economic climate.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Government U-turn on teacher numbers [Independent.ie]
- Published: 16 December 2011
The Government has been forced into a partial Budget U-turn on cuts to teacher numbers in disadvantaged primary schools, writes Michael Brennan and Katherine Donnelly.
Pressure from Labour and Fine Gael backbenchers, schools, and the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) has led to some rowing back on plans announced last week.
Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore announced the changes during an exchange with Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald yesterday.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Price of education cutbacks: Schools to lose 730 teachers say principals [Independent.ie]
- Published: 16 December 2011
CUTBACKS mean that 470 primary schools are to lose 730 teachers in the next three years, the Irish Primary Principals Network (IPNN) said today.
School leaders are deeply dismayed at both the range and severity of proposed cuts to primary education, the organisation said.
It added that the Government appears to be deliberately squeezing small schools out of existence and at the same time removing hundreds of teachers from schools in Disadvantaged Areas.
Following a survey conducted over recent days, the IPPN says that 470 schools are due to lose 730 teachers over the next three years.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Gilmore says no change to pupil ratio [IrishTimes]
- Published: 15 December 2011
The pupil teacher ratio in primary schools has not been increased, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has insisted in the Dáil.
During sharp exchanges with Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald about disadvantaged schools and those in the Deis (Delivering Equality of opportunity In Schools) scheme, Mr Gilmore said “a number of posts will be made available for alleviation measures for the schools most affected by the changes in the budget”.
Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn met a number of school principals earlier this week and “has undertaken to ensure that Deis Band 1 junior schools will be placed on a staffing schedule based on an average of one teacher for 20 pupils”.
He said “this will enable them to continue to have smaller class sizes for the youngest children starting school”.
Thirty two schools with “legacy” posts that provided for one teacher for every 15 pupils in junior classes only “will now have a staffing schedule that operates on the basis of an average of one teacher per 18 junior pupils”.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
