Irish students improve in digital literacy test [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 29 June 2011
Children in Ireland outperform those in many other developed countries when it comes to their ability to read computer-based text documents, a new study has found.
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) tested students in 19 countries around the world, with Ireland coming eighth in the table.
However, this contrasts with figures that have shown a decline in standards in recent years in traditional pen-and-paper literacy tests.
Dr Peter Archer, director of the Educational Research Centre, suggested the difference in performance may be due to the fact that students are more familiar and more interested in the digital content.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
School admission policies under review [educationmatters.ie]
- Published: 29 June 2011
Under the watchful eye of Minister Ruairí Quinn, the Department of Education has undertaken a comprehensive study of these policies.
The review, which is being carried out via a Discussion Paper on a Regulatory Framework for School Enrolment, may result in sanctions against schools whose policies are seen as unfair.
The discussion document for the review also addresses the question of whether it is right for schools to give priority to children of former pupils. This is quite timely considering the case of the Christian Brothers’ High School referred to below.
Full Story: www.educationmatters.ie
Race on for patronage of school [Independent.ie]
- Published: 29 June 2011
THERE'S good news for the region at last with the announcement that 10% of all new second-level school development in the State over the next couple of years will take place in Louth.
Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn has confirmed that a new second-level school will be constructed in Drogheda, with the race now on to see who will receive patronage of the new facility.
Reports suggest it is most likely to be on the same site as the forthcoming Scoil Oilibheir Naofa primary school on the Ballymakenny Road, however the Educate Together group and VEC are also hopeful of a new school.
The news that Dundalk will also see the development of a brand new second-level school is a great boost for the area too.
' The Minister has confirmed on Monday that these schools will welcome up to 1,000 pupils each,' said Louth's Labour TD Gerald Nash, welcoming the news.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Catholic schools 'need faith communities' [IrishTimes]
- Published: 29 June 2011
THE DEBATE about the future of Irish education, the place of religious education in schools and church patronage cannot be separated “from the broad question of what the role of a Catholic school really is”, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has said.
“I see very little point in being the patron of Catholic schools which are not truly Catholic. Catholic does not mean sectarian. But a Catholic school is more than just an ethos; it is more than just a school where attractive First Communion and Confirmation services are celebrated,” he said.
Speaking at Blackrock College in Dublin last night at the launch of the book Frank Duff – A Life Story, by Finola Kennedy, he said “unless a Catholic school exists within a faith community of parents who are themselves rooted in a broader believing and practising faith community, then that school will be Catholic in name alone.”
He was “pleased to see the work that is being done by the Government’s Forum on Patronage.”
He had “no fear of plurality in school patronage where parents desire it. I believe that the plurality desired by parents is greater than some think.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
DES Circular 0042/2011 [education.ie]
- Published: 29 June 2011
