Other proposed education cuts [independent.ie]
- Published: 18 August 2011
Other proposed education cuts
Reduce capitation grants by 10pc to make a saving of €21m per year. Document warns that "some or all schools in funding difficulty".
The ability of parents to fundraise or to make voluntary financial contributions is "diminished".
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Teachers to oppose Quinn plans [irishtimes.com]
- Published: 18 August 2011
Teachers to oppose Quinn plans
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
Schools that have unqualified teachers cannot be pinpointed [independent.ie]
- Published: 18 August 2011
Schools that have unqualified teachers cannot be pinpointed
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.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Official school starting age to be raised to 5 years old [independent.ie]
- Published: 18 August 2011
Official school starting age to be raised to 5 years old
THE age at which children start school will be raised to five -- and transition year at second-level will be abolished -- under dramatic plans being considered by the Government.
Documents obtained by the Irish Independent show the drastic measures are on the table in a desperate attempt to reduce the €9bn annual education bill.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
COUNTING THE COST OF EDUCATION [Independent.ie]
- Published: 17 August 2011
WITH SEPTEMBER just around the corner, parents are struggling to bear the financial burden of sending their children back to school.
Last week, Barnardos revealed the findings of a recent schools costs survey, which found that the cost of sending a child into junior infants can be as much as €350.
This rises to €470 for a fourth class pupil and €805 for a first year student.
These figures only cover the costs of uniforms, shoes and schoolbooks, and do not include the money spent on school bags, travel or sports equipment.
One parent who responded to the survey revealed it is costing her €1,800 to send her three children to school this September. ' We had to get a loan from the credit union to send our children to school – it's a joke,' she said.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
