Talks to begin on National Framework for Recovery
- Published: 18 December 2008
Source: INTO
Representatives of the social partners met with An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, TD and other Government representatives this morning. Members from ICTU, IBEC and the other social partners were given an outline briefing on a plan to stimulate the economy next year. INTO General Secretary John Carr, who was part of the ICTU delegation, raised the effects of the education cutbacks proposed in Budget 2009, and in particular proposed increases in class size, at the briefing session. Following the meeting intense consultations are scheduled to take place between now and the end of January on the issues contained in the Framework for National Recovery.Efforts to solve school dispute over strict language policy
- Published: 18 December 2008
Source: Irish Examiner
By Niall Murray, Education Correspondent
A SENIOR legal figure has been appointed to try and resolvethe dispute between a Gaeltacht second-level school and parents of some local students over its strict all-Irish language policy.
The case being taken on behalf of a number of students against Pobalscoil Corca Dhuibhne in Dingle, and the minister for education has been mentioned before the High Court a number of times in recent months.
The Irish Examiner has learned the court has allowed the parties an opportunity to resolve their differences, in an effort to avoid having to go to a full hearing of the case.
The school opened in September 2007 as the only second-level school in the Dingle area after two local schools, which also had all-Irish policies, were amalgamated. However, parents have complained that whereas students with little or no Irish had previously been allowed to be taught through English this had not been maintained in the new school. They are seeking what they describe as a viable education for their children, which could include a return to the bilingual policy they claim was operated by the two older schools or a two-stream policy under which some students could be taught entirely through English if they did not have sufficient levels of Irish.
Former education minister Mary Hanafin intervened last year when she had a survey carried out among the parents of the school's students last winter. However, this proved difficult because of data protection issues concerning distribution of surveys and parents who support the all-Irish policy of the school urged a boycott of the study.
The school agreed last April to review its policy and the provision of supports for students with little or no Irish, following a meeting between the trustees and Ms Hanafin. She had previously said that, while the all-Irish status of the school was important, allowance should be made for any students experiencing difficulties.
All sides in the dispute are expected to meet with senior counsel Brendan Hogan next month, who will try to facilitate an agreement acceptable to both sides. The mediation process was notified to High Court president Justice Richard Johnson earlier this week and it is expected that the case will be mentioned before the court again in February.
School not fit for classes may have to close
- Published: 18 December 2008
Source: Irish Independent
By Gordon Deegan
Wednesday December 17 2008
A leading bishop has warned Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe that he may have to close down a primary school with over 650 pupils.
The Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh, met the minister to issue his warning after a damning Health Service Executive (HSE) report on the condition of the 36-year old Ennis National School building.
The report stated that the Co Clare school building was 'not fit for purpose' and that parents of pupils attending the school were "entitled to feel seriously concerned about the health and welfare of their children".
Last June, parents withdrew their children from the school -- which has 18 portakabins -- for a day, and marched in protest at the minister's failure to give the go-ahead for a new building.
Now, records released through the Freedom of Information Act show that Dr Walsh, along with other school representatives and Timmy Dooley TD (FF) met with Mr O'Keeffe in Leinster House at the end of last month to advance the case for a new school building.
According to departmental minutes, Dr Walsh said that "the recent health and safety inspection of the school had put him in a position where the school might have to be closed".
Dr Walsh is the school's patron and told Mr O'Keeffe that there was an urgent need for action in Ennis, pointing out that there has been no permanent school built in the town since 1984 and that the new school for Ennis NS had been planned for 10 years.
The HSE report states that "continued use of this premises as a school, in its present condition, is not recommended".
HSE District Environmental Officer, Brendan Mortell states: "Chronically leaking roof, internal manholes leaking sewer gas, cold, damp, smelly classrooms and corridors render [the school] not fit for purpose".
Donation
Mr Mortell said: "The possibility of moving the school to a suitable premises, on a temporary basis, should be considered, while awaiting for approval to build a new school at the location donated by Dr Walsh . . . in Ennis."
The diocese has lodged plans for a new school and a decision is expected early in the New Year -- dependent on Departmental funding.
- Gordon Deegan
Pupils reduced to bricks in the wall
- Published: 17 December 2008
Source: Irish Independent
Pupils reduced to bricks in the wall
The cutbacks in education have caused much concern for guidance counsellors as to what kind of service can be provided for second-level students from next month.
All students should have access to adequate guidance, under the 1998 Education Act -- including educational, vocational and personal guidance.
School guidance plans regularly include attendance at events such as open days in post-leaving colleges, institutes of technology and universities; at national career exhibitions and at events organised by local branches of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors.
Visits to FAS training centres, local employers and industry are also part of most plans.
As of January, guidance counsellors don't know if they can continue to implement this important service because of the cutbacks in the budget for substitution for school business -- which hitherto covered their absence from the classroom.
Programmes designed by Steps to Engineering, ICT, PharmaChemical Ireland and Discover Science and Engineering to promote the uptake in science subjects and address the current -- and the forecast skills shortages in technology and engineering -- may also be jeopardised.
IBEC, in conjunction with the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, organises annual conferences for guidance counsellors -- and 11 employment sectors presented at this year's conference. Counsellors also have regular meetings with the CAO, colleges and other bodies to keep up to date with changes and in an advocacy capacity on students' behalf.
To facilitate continuing professional development, guidance counsellors need to be able to attend seminars and conferences.
Often these enhance their skills to provide guidance and counselling to young people experiencing personal difficulties -- and seeking help in the first instance for self harm, eating disorders, bullying or suicide.
For example, the Irish Association of Suicidology's conference this year focused on 'Innovations In Preventing Youth Suicide' and was attended by many guidance counsellors and school staff. This was invaluable in the process of drawing up suicide prevention plans in schools.
Enlightened school management has always supported continuing professional development, but none of the events referred to above qualify for substitution cover under in-service training category, whose budget has not been cut.
Many demands will be made on the reduced budget for substitution for school business, as innovative programmes such as transition year and extra-curricular activities including sport and drama also clamour for support.
Will students get the guidance service they are entitled to? The Minister for Education and Science has stated that education is infrastructure, and he has preserved the schools building fund, literally the bricks and mortar of education.
But unless he reverses the cuts in relation to substitution cover many young people will be confined to the classroom -- feeling like 'another brick in the wall'.
School not fit for classes may have to close
- Published: 17 December 2008
Source: Irish Independent
A leading bishop has warned Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe that he may have to close down a primary school with over 650 pupils.
The Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh, met the minister to issue his warning after a damning Health Service Executive (HSE) report on the condition of the 36-year old Ennis National School building.
The report stated that the Co Clare school building was 'not fit for purpose' and that parents of pupils attending the school were "entitled to feel seriously concerned about the health and welfare of their children".
Last June, parents withdrew their children from the school -- which has 18 portakabins -- for a day, and marched in protest at the minister's failure to give the go-ahead for a new building.
Now, records released through the Freedom of Information Act show that Dr Walsh, along with other school representatives and Timmy Dooley TD (FF) met with Mr O'Keeffe in Leinster House at the end of last month to advance the case for a new school building.
According to departmental minutes, Dr Walsh said that "the recent health and safety inspection of the school had put him in a position where the school might have to be closed".
Dr Walsh is the school's patron and told Mr O'Keeffe that there was an urgent need for action in Ennis, pointing out that there has been no permanent school built in the town since 1984 and that the new school for Ennis NS had been planned for 10 years.
The HSE report states that "continued use of this premises as a school, in its present condition, is not recommended".
HSE District Environmental Officer, Brendan Mortell states: "Chronically leaking roof, internal manholes leaking sewer gas, cold, damp, smelly classrooms and corridors render [the school] not fit for purpose".
Donation
Mr Mortell said: "The possibility of moving the school to a suitable premises, on a temporary basis, should be considered, while awaiting for approval to build a new school at the location donated by Dr Walsh . . . in Ennis."
The diocese has lodged plans for a new school and a decision is expected early in the New Year -- dependent on Departmental funding.
- Gordon Deegan
