VECs ‘are an inclusive option’ [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 24 June 2011
THE country’s vocational education committees (VECs) offer the most cost-effective and inclusive option for communities looking for a different kind of primary school, representatives claimed yesterday.
The sector has already started operating four primary schools in Dublin, Kildare and Meath on a pilot basis as community national schools.
These have a multi-denominational ethos, catering for children of all faiths and none.
The Irish Vocational Education Association told the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector that VECs also offer many administrative supports that already exist for their role as operators of second level schools and further education colleges.
Full Story: www.examiner.ie
Muslim parents seek greater facility for pupils to observe religious practices [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 24 June 2011
PARENTS of Muslim children would like greater provision by schools to facilitate prayer and flexibility around their religious holidays.
Two parents who addressed the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector on behalf of the Islamic Foundation of Ireland said their children have been lucky to attend one of two Muslim schools in Dublin.
Pupils there follow the same curriculum as other schools, learning their Muslim faith during the time for religious education, and also taking classes in Arabic and the Koran.
But for some of the estimated 4,500 Muslim children attending other primary schools, Fatima Abdul Basit said many parents raise the lack of a prayer room for their children as a big issue.
Schools 'have to teach' religion [IrishTimes]
- Published: 24 June 2011
The three-day forum on school patronage at the Department of Education enters its final day today.
Educationalists were told yesterday it is not possible under current legislation for a school in the Republic to be religion-free.
Speaking at a public hearing before the forum on patronage and pluralism in the primary sector in Dublin yesterday, Prof John Coolahan said that “it would appear the State is prohibited” from allowing non-religious schools.
Prof Coolahan is chairman of the advisory group which this week has been questioning in open session stakeholders in the primary schools sector on submissions they have made on diversity of patronage.
He made the observation while questioning a delegation from the Irish National Teachers Organisation.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Education cuts criticised in Dail [education.ie]
- Published: 23 June 2011
Objections to planned cuts in the education budget that could affect many children have been raised in the Dail.
RTE reports that Independent TD Finian McGrath asked Enda Kenny why services for children with special needs are being reduced.
According to the news provider, 200 Special Needs Assistants (SNA) positions will be lost in order to comply with the terms of the country's financial bailout from the International Monetary Fund and the EU.
Mr McGrath called on the Taoiseach to reverse the changes - which are due to come into effect this week - and questioned whether the consequences of the move have been fully thought through.
Full Story: www.education.ie
Taoiseach pledges special needs support [IrishTimes]
- Published: 23 June 2011
ALL SCHOOLS requiring special needs assistant (SNA) support would receive it, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said. “The perception that there are serious cutbacks is simply not true.”
He said Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn had announced 90 per cent of the allocation of SNAs, which meant that he had held back 10 per cent, a total of 475 posts.
The Taoiseach said a report on value for money and effectiveness had highlighted a situation where in some cases children were allocated SNAs not because of their particular challenge or disability but for therapeutic or pedagogical reasons. “It became an understanding that schools could get SNAs for practically anything and that system could not continue.’’
He said the reduction in the overall number was less than 2 per cent to maintain the cap set for this year.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
