Utilitarian view of education must be denied [irishtimes.com]
- Published: 19 August 2011
Utilitarian view of education must be denied
WHAT IS education for? It’s probably enough to get my Teaching Council registration revoked, but it occurred to me that I would consider any 20-something who could sit through Terrence Malick’s film Tree of Life, grapple with the questions it poses and discuss them later to be reasonably well-educated.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
School age proposal played down [IrishTimes]
- Published: 18 August 2011
The Government is seeking to allay fears it plans to raise the school starting age to five or abolish transition year in a raft of radical cost-cutting measures.
Primary teachers have attacked the proposal, branding it educational and economic madness that goes against everything known about early childhood.
The idea was promoted within the Department of Education by the previous Government as drastic cost saving measures were explored.
The Department of Education said no decision has been made on the idea as a new cost-saving plan for the sector is being rewritten.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
'Disappointing results' show need for Leaving Certificate reform [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 18 August 2011
Leaving Certificate results for 2011 that were announced yesterday (August 17th), which again showed poor standards in key areas such as maths and science, have highlighted the need for the system to be urgently reformed.
This is the message of the Irish Business and Employer's Confederation (IBEC), which stated these subjects will be vital to boosting the country's economy in the long term.
Head of education policy at the group Tony Donohoe said: "Business needs an education system that produces individuals who are adaptable, can think for themselves and have an appetite to learn. The current system fails to produce these skills".
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
Other proposed education cuts [Independent.ie]
- Published: 18 August 2011
The ability of parents to fundraise or to make voluntary financial contributions is "diminished".
?Introduce fee of €500 per annum for post-Leaving Cert students to save €10m annually.
"Contrary to the Government's policy on upskilling," the document warns.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Teachers to oppose Quinn plans [IrishTimes]
- Published: 18 August 2011
Secondary teachers are set to oppose key elements of radical new reform plans from the Minister for Education.
A meeting of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) next week will signal firm opposition to the introduction of continuous assessment. The ASTI also opposes Ruairí Quinn’s plan for so-called “unannounced inspections” in schools where the work of teachers can be assessed without any notice.
Mr Quinn wants more continuous assessment in the Junior and Leaving Certs as part of a move to promote more independent learning by students. The union says it will firmly oppose any new scheme in which teachers assess their own pupils.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
