Families facing huge school costs, warns Barnardos [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 03 August 2011
DEBT-RIDDEN families face further deprivation because of the rising cost of sending their children back to school next month, according to children’s charity Barnardos.
Over half of the 500-plus parents who took its online survey are spending more on school books than last year, while many complained they are on low incomes but still do not qualify for government support to help meet the cost of uniforms.
The average cost of clothing and equipping a child starting primary school was found to be €350. However, the back to school and clothing footwear allowance meets just over half that expense.
Full Story: www.examiner.ie
Sinead Ryan: My top tips for cutting down on that back-to-school bill [herald.ie]
- Published: 03 August 2011
YOU know us by our stressed, harried appearance as we traipse around department stores, whingeing children in hand. We don't want to be there; they certainly don't want to be there. Yes -- it's "back to school" shopping time. The bane of every parent's life.
But the biggest obstacle to getting your child re-kitted out for the school is the cost.
Barnardos' survey showed that our "free" education system is nothing of the sort. It costs €350 to send a child to Junior Infants and a whopping €805 to Secondary school. Yikes!
Well, there are some things you can do to cut back on costs. We want the best for our kids, but that doesn't have to mean the most expensive.
Full Story: www.herald.iePlan to increase school class sizes to save €75m [IrishTimes]
- Published: 03 August 2011
CHANGES TO the pupil-teacher ratio which would mean larger classes in primary and second-level schools have been proposed by the Department of Education.
The department has indicated to Government that increasing the number of children in a classroom is the most effective means of achieving sizeable savings in the education budget. It says that annual economies of at least €75 million can be achieved by such a move.
The proposal – set to be a key part of the next budget – would mean more than 1,100 teaching posts left unfilled at primary and second level. It is certain to elicit a furious response from the teacher unions and it will also concern parents.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
New ASTI president seeks to tackle cutbacks [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 02 August 2011
Reversing education cutbacks and tackling other school polices is on the agenda for the new president of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) Brendan Broderick.
Mr Broderick, a science teacher at Dublin's Templeogue College, took up the position yesterday (August 1st) and stated his main aim for the coming 12 months is to ensure the education sector does not have to endure further cutbacks.
He said his "ultimate goal" is to ensure more money goes in to education and noted recent instances of funding being withdrawn have had "a damaging effect on the teaching profession and the education service".
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
Cyber-bullying [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 02 August 2011
NEARLY one-in-five British youngsters have been the victim of cyber-bullying, with girls affected more than boys, research suggests.
Many victims said the experience had damaged their confidence, mental health and even school attendance.
The study, by academics at Anglia Ruskin University, found 22% of the girls questioned, said they had been subjected to cyber-bullying, while 13.5% of the boys quizzed said they had faced it.
Full Story: www.examiner.ie
