Sorry kids, I won't be back at school – I'm now the Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia [Independent.ie]
- Published: 09 September 2011
Six months ago Mohamed Ibrahim was a teacher in north-west London. Every weekday he would commute from his red-brick home in Harlesden to the nearby Newman Catholic College to help Somali children improve their English.
Then an unusual job offer came calling. The government of Somalia was asking whether the quietly spoken 64-year-old would be willing to be the war-torn nation's new Deputy Prime Minister.
The job offer, as he explained in a resignation email to his colleagues, was one he could hardly refuse.
"I was unexpectedly called to my country during the summer holidays, at a time when the country is facing a humanitarian crisis such as drought and famine," he wrote. "I will always have Newman College in my heart and won't forget the wonderful colleagues."
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Ericsson kick starts nationwide primary school science competition [siliconrepublic.com]
- Published: 08 September 2011
Telecoms technology firm Ericsson and development agency Atlantic Corridor have launched a science competition for primary schools across Ireland that is linked with the existing primary school curriculum.
Through class project work and learning, the competition aims to provide primary school students with an insight into the excitement of science and maths in today’s world. Classes can develop a project based on one of four categories – living things, materials, energy and forces or environmental awareness and care.
The project should demonstrate the everyday value of understanding science and maths.
Full Story: www.siliconrepublic.com
Objections lodged over gaelscoil building [thecorknews.ie]
- Published: 08 September 2011
A Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Álainn teacher has described objections to the plans for a new school building as both “frustrating” and “heartbreaking”.
Keith Ó Brolacháin, who also is on the school’s Parent and Teacher Action Committee said the school, which is currently housed in temporary surroundings, needed a more permanent fixture.
In 1998, Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Álainn moved to prefabs in the carpark of Brian Dillon's GAA Club in the Tank Field. It was hoped in 2001 that the school would move to a new site at Tinker’s Cross in Mayfield, however, this was shelved due to funding issues. Planning permission is now being sought for the development of a two storey, 16-classroom primary school on the western end of the Tank Field.
However, detailed objections to the proposed primary school were submitted to the Planning Office at Cork City Council earlier this week. Both Montenotte and Murmount Residents Associations submitted their objections to the planning application on a number of grounds, including that the school would not be sustainable.
Full Story: www.thecorknews.ie
University lottery system 'may be a disincentive' [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 08 September 2011
Professor Aine Hyland has raised concerns regarding the introduction of a new lottery system for school kids applying for university places.
The former Vice-President of University College Cork admitted this kind of scheme could mean students do not have an incentive to do well, the Independent reports.
This is despite the fact Ms Hyland proposed the new initiative in a new report for the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.
Currently, a points system is used to determine third level education places, but her new idea would see this replaced with a scheme in which anyone who meets a university's minimum-entry criteria is entered into a draw for a position.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
Draw for college places 'unfair to brightest pupils' [Independent.ie]
- Published: 08 September 2011
AN overhaul of the Leaving Certificate points system by introducing a lottery for university places could be a disincentive for the brightest students, the academic proposing the change admitted yesterday.
A university president last night also expressed concern about the proposal and how it would work.
In a report for the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) -- the body that monitors what is taught in schools -- Prof Aine Hyland set out a series of proposals for reform of the points system.
Her most controversial proposal is the introduction of a lottery system where universities set minimum-entry criteria for each course and everyone who meets these requirements is then entered into a lottery for a place.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
