School shows recognition [newrossstandard.ie]
- Published: 12 July 2011
A WONDERFUL evening of celebration rounded off the school year in Clongeen.
Mass was celebrated by Parish Priest Fr. Colm Murphy where prayers and readings were delivered by sixth class pupils to mark the completion of their primary school years.
Presentations were made to four pupils, Gemma O'Gorman, Rachel Bennett, Seamie Kiely and Michael Dundon, who had 100 per cent attendance in the 2009/2010 school year.
Principal Geraldine O'Sullivan presented two 'Exceptional Attendance Record' awards to Aoife Byrne on achieving 100 per cent attendance in four of her eight primary school years and to Gemma O'Gorman who achieved five years of 100 per cent attendance.
Full Story: www.newrossstandard.ie
LARGE PROTEST EXPECTED AT MINISTER’S VISIT OVER SCHOOL TRANSPORT CHARGES [donegaldaily.com]
- Published: 12 July 2011
A large protest is expected outside Fine Gael TD Joe McHugh’s Letterkenny office this morning over plans to charge parents up to €200 per child for school buses.
Junior Minister Ciaran Cannon is to meet with five deputations from across the county about the issue.
And he can expect a red-hot reception from parents who say they simply cannot afford the new charge.
Outraged parents from one school, Glenswilly National School, have arranged a silent and dignified protest outside the Lower Main Street offices at 10am.
Full Story: www.donegaldaily.com
Student literacy a real problem [carlowpeople.ie]
- Published: 12 July 2011
'WHERE did it all go wrong' - that's the burning question in post Celtic Tiger Ireland and no wonder when we reflect on boom turned to bust in so short a time and our perceived prosperity thrown to the four winds. It seems our problems aren't confined to the state of the economy though, for now it emerges that as well as losing our money we've also lost the ability the read, write and do our sums. According to recent OECD research, 17 per cent of Irish 15-year-olds lack the literacy skills needed to function in modern society and one in five lacks basic numeracy skills.
In a country that takes very considerable pride in announcing to potential investors that we have one of the most highly educated workforces in the world, it comes as something of a setback finds that so many of us can't read or write or do basic maths. It's a shock too for the taxpayers of the nation to discover that so many young people can pass through our €8 billion a year education system without learning the absolute basics.
Full Story: www.carlowpeople.ie
Changes to primary curriculum not enough [Independent.ie]
- Published: 12 July 2011
Although they are welcome, the changes in the curriculum announced by Education Minister Ruairi Quinn to improve literacy and numeracy are not enough.
The primary curriculum is not challenging enough either in terms of hours spent in the classroom or in terms of content. Imagine the improvements students would make if the 2.5 hours a week spent on religious instruction were instead spent on improving key skills required by today's challenging times? Think English, maths, science and ICT, for example.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Quinn vows to cut school book bills [herald.ie]
- Published: 12 July 2011
EDUCATION Minister Ruairi Quinn is looking at book-lending schemes and cheaper uniforms in a bid to drive school costs down for parents.
The minister revealed that he has met with representatives of the St Vincent de Paul charity and the National Parents Council, and they will be looking at efforts to bring school costs down.
The minister made his comments in reply to Fine Gael Dublin Mid-West deputy Derek Keating who said parents can often face costs of almost €600 when their child is to attend school in September.
These include a suggested voluntary fee parents are asked to pay, photocopying fees ranging between €40 and €80, and between €100 to €300 for extra-curricular activities.
"When one factors in two, three or four children, one would have very little change from €2,000 for 2011-2012. It is not an exaggeration to say that many people find it restrictive," Mr Keating said.
Full Story: www.herald.ie
