29th January - Majority of Primary Schools still without Broadband
Majority of Primary Schools still without Broadband.
Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) President, Mr Brendan McCabe, called on the Minister for Communications, Mr Alex White, to ensure primary schools are treated the same as their secondary counterparts and provided with high speed broadband as a matter of urgency.
According to Mr McCabe, “Primary schools have, mainly through the efforts of their own fundraising, purchased expensive interactive whiteboards for nearly every classroom. Lots of schools have invested in literacy and numeracy software, which links to the internet. They need access to decent broadband. The current position is like having bought a powerful car but discovering it has been restricted to a crawl as it has only one gear.”
29th January - Two years of free pre-school would lessen social inequality
Two years of free pre-school would lessen social inequality, says IPPN President.
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) free preschool year has been a huge success. Children are now finding the transition to mainstream easier and have developed strong school readiness and integration skills in most instances. They also have higher levels of cognitive and speech and language development.
Brendan McCabe, President of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN), told members, “I believe a second free ECCE year would be a wonderful investment in our children’s future. It would allow our children to enter primary school on a much more level playing pitch.”
29th January - Children's Learning affected
Children’s learning affected by demands placed on Teaching Principals.
President of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN), Brendan McCabe, claimed seven out of ten Principals have to teach a class and attend to full principal duties in Irish primary schools. This dual role impacts on the children in the class who miss out on quality teaching time.
He told his members, “You are not a teaching principal. That term has got to go. You are a Principal and a full time Teacher. You are in fact double jobbing. And, despite what the DES asks of you it is nearly impossible to do both jobs at the same time and completely impossible to do both to the consistently high standards we as principals strive to achieve.”
25th November - €28m Minor Works grant
Minister for Education and Skills announces €28m Minor Works grant for National Schools.
Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan, TD, today announced the provision of €28m in funding for primary schools in 2014. The Minor Works Grant will issue to all primary schools with permanent recognition next week. The €28m fund is focused on improving the physical infrastructure of schools and investment in equipment and furniture.
The rates payable are €5,500 per school plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per special needs pupil. The grant is worth €6,425 for a 50 pupil school and more than €11,000 for a 300 pupil school.
