James Downey: Crozier no longer more powerful than the Dail [Independent.ie]
- Published: 16 July 2011
For decades the great majority of people took their ethics from the church. We never developed a civic ethic that could replace that system when the inevitable crisis arrived
ENDA Kenny calls the Vatican's handling of clerical sex abuse scandals "disgraceful". Eamon Gilmore meets the Papal Nuncio and demands an explanation from the Vatican of why the Catholic Church's guidelines on the subject were ignored and allegations of abuse went unreported.
Not all that long ago, Irish politicians feared a "belt of a crozier". Much has changed, and for the better.
And that is the true significance of the Cloyne Report. Not the sadly familiar details of the crimes and cover-ups. Not even the breathtaking arrogance and flagrant disregard of the law. The greatest change is in the political response.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Confessional not exempt from rules on reporting abuse [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 16 July 2011
THE sacrament of Confession will not be exempt from rules on mandatory reporting of child abuse, Children’s Minister Frances Fitzgerald has vehemently insisted.
Amid the fallout from the Cloyne report’s exposure of former bishop John Magee for failing to report abusive priests, the minister reiterated warnings that there will be no exceptions to hardline rules on withholding information about child abuse.
New laws will also require frontline staff working with children taken into state care to investigate historic acts or allegations of abuse.
Health workers and carers will also be required to investigate allegations by adults about abuse that took place during their childhood.
Full Story: www.examiner.ie
Adding hours for maths and English [IrishTimes]
- Published: 16 July 2011
Sir, – I was astonished to read that a mere 36 minutes of the school day are given to the teaching of mathematics in our national schools (Home News, July 9th). This means the time devoted to teaching one of the most important subjects of the curriculum amounts to only three hours per week. No wonder the children of this nation are scoring well below the average of the OECD countries.
Having taught at a private primary school for a number of years, I feel the time allocation to teaching mathematics is wholly inadequate in our State schools. The school at which I taught allocated the following time to be spent teaching core subjects of the national school curriculum: mathematics – 60 minutes per day (five hours per week), English language literacy – 90 minutes per day (7½ hours per week).
I am pleased that Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn is taking steps to remedy this situation. It is not possible to cover the mathematics and English curriculums in-depth unless enough time is given to teaching these vital core subjects.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Back to school bill hits €400 per child [IrishTimes]
- Published: 16 July 2011
FAMILIES ARE paying on average €400 per child during the costly back-to-school period, according to research published yesterday.
The study, carried out by the Irish League of Credit Unions found the average cost for a second-level student is €470 while it costs €320 to send a child to a primary school.
Uniforms were the most expensive element of the back-to-school bill for most parents, with the cost estimated to be €229. School books cost a further €182.
The survey found almost 90 per cent of parents want to switch to laptops and e-books in the classroom to save cash.
The league’s chief executive Kieron Brennan said that the cost “is considerable” and can put significant pressure on households and the ability of some families to pay essential bills.
The survey, carried out last month among 1,000 people, found that 46 per cent of parents were able to use their monthly income to source back-to-school necessities.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
INTO welcomes launch of Children First 2011 [into.ie]
- Published: 15 July 2011
The primary teachers’ union the INTO today welcomed the launch of Children First 2011 and congratulated the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, on the initiative.
Speaking following the launch, INTO General Secretary Sheila Nunan said today’s launch paves the way to complete on-going work on revised child protection procedures specifically for schools. These will replace current procedures in place in schools since 2001.
Ms Nunan said work on new school procedures was well advanced and she expected these to issue to schools early in the new school year. “The INTO has fully supported this work,” said Ms Nunan.
Ms Nunan said the 2001 guidelines had served pupils and schools well but she said these needed to be revised in light of experience.
Full Story: www.into.ie
