Reform agenda for education [sbpost.ie]
- Published: 22 August 2011
Reform agenda for education
21 August 2011 By Brian McGrath
In the midst of our current economic distress, we frequently hear statements reassuring us that our well-educated, young population is a key strength for the future.
These claims have encouraged a dangerous complacency regarding the quality of our education system.
As stakeholders in the education system, we have an urgent responsibility to deliver reforms that result in a new generation of graduates capable of delivering on expectations.
Full Story: www.sbpost.ie
A disaster in design and delivery [independent.ie]
- Published: 21 August 2011
A disaster in design and delivery
In the Nineties, I wrote a horrified article about figures from the OECD which put the adult illiteracy rate here at 23 per cent. The figures were discreetly ignored or denied outright by those with a vested interest in the "educational status quo". And until this Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn, took office, official Ireland continued to deny the reality of such a rotten, inadequate education system. Idiotic terms like "the best educated young people in Europe" were and are preferred to the reality of international statistics, which are backed up by employer opinions on the international market.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Government unlikely to raise school entry age [examiner.ie]
- Published: 19 August 2011
Government unlikely to raise school entry age
Friday, August 19, 2011
THE age at which children can start school is highly unlikely to be raised as part of government efforts to cut the cost of running the country’s schools.
While the Department of Education would not confirm any measures currently under consideration for next year’s budget, the Irish Examiner understands that the proposal which had been on the table during the lifetime of the last government is no longer being considered. It emerged yesterday that department officials had last year drawn up detailed figures on the potential savings achieved from raising the age of entry to primary education up to five.
Full Story: www.examiner.ie
State tight-lipped on school-age plan [independent.ie]
- Published: 19 August 2011
State tight-lipped on school-age plan
THE Department of Education last night refused to say whether controversial proposals to raise the school starting age were still under active consideration.
Parents face the possibility that the minimum age for school enrolment will be increased to five in December's Budget, costing them an extra year's childcare costs.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Life for Irish children has finally improved after decades of neglect. But are we about to let them down again? [irishtimes.com]
- Published: 19 August 2011
Life for Irish children has finally improved after decades of neglect. But are we about to let them down again?
THE LIFE OF THE IRISH CHILD: This week Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald acknowledged the State’s role in the neglect and abuse of children. She also pledged to help ensure that Irish children will from now on have the best start in life. What does it mean to be a child, or a parent, in modern Ireland?
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
