Department says no decisions taken on reported education reforms [thejournal.ie]
- Published: 18 August 2011
THE DEPARTMENT OF Education (DoE) has said that “no decisions whatsoever have been taken” on changing the age at which children will start school or abolishing transition year.
Responding to an article by Edel Kennedy in today’s Irish Independent the Department said in a statement that proposals for children to start primary school at aged 5 and for transition year at second level to be abolished are based on “historic documents” under the Freedom of Information Act.
Full Story: www.thejournal.ie
Schools that have unqualified teachers cannot be pinpointed [Independent.ie]
- Published: 18 August 2011
THE Department of Education cannot pinpoint the schools where second-level students are being taught maths by teachers with no qualifications in the subject.
The lack of information emerged last night as the Government's chief scientific adviser added his voice to concerns about Leaving Cert maths and science results.
As many as half of second-level maths teachers are not qualified in the subject, but department officials do not know where they are currently working.
A department spokeswoman said it was a matter for the Teaching Council to register teachers, while schools had responsibility for hiring teachers.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Teachers to oppose Quinn plans for reform in school standards [irishtimes.com]
- Published: 18 August 2011
Teachers to oppose Quinn plans for reform in school standards
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.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Drop in pupils taking 'vital' subjects due to budget cuts [independent.ie]
- Published: 18 August 2011
Drop in pupils taking 'vital' subjects due to budget cuts
THE fall-out from the first round of education cuts has been laid bare in this year's exam results, with fewer students taking critical subjects such as physics and modern languages.
This year also saw a fall in the numbers sitting the Leaving Certificate Applied.
Teacher unions said the worsening pupil-teacher ratio has led to schools having to drop less popular subjects and this is reflected in a 3.4pc fall in the number of students sitting physics and a fall of almost 5pc in those studying German.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Minister: We must change society for our children [examiner.ie]
- Published: 18 August 2011
Minister: We must change society for our children
Thursday, August 18, 2011
IRISH society must acknowledge that it needs to address a series of problems as concerning as the clerical abuse scandal before the safety of children in this country can be assured.
Speaking at the Merriman Summer School in Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald said a host of less highlighted issues are seriously hampering the well-being of young people in Ireland.
Full Story: www.examiner.ie
