Education suffering ‘death by initiative’
January 28, 2013
The quality of primary education is being undermined by reform initiatives from the Department of Education, a school leader has claimed.
Seán Cottrell, director of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN), said the system was suffering from “death by initiative”. Over the years, he told delegates to the IPPN conference in Dublin, principals had been bombarded by initiatives.
“It is obvious from their nature that they are ad hoc and reactionary because there is a lack of an overall vision for Irish education.” He said there was a gross imbalance between management capacity in schools and the expectations of the Department of Education.
“To resolve this imbalance, the department must prioritise funding for skilled administrators, provide a minimum of one non-contact day per week for the leadership and management role of teaching principals and reinstate in-school management posts,” he said.
Key strategies He said Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn should adopt three key strategies if he “genuinely wants to make primary education a priority for this Government”: First, no more new initiatives unless schools are provided with the necessary capacity to manage their implementation. “We have superb teachers – allow them teach.”
Second, give principals administrative back-up so they can fulfil their function of leading the quality of learning. Finally, trust principals: give them the resources to run schools and harness their capacity to lead.
Mr Quinn was unable to attend the conference for personal reasons. His address was read by Seán Ó Foghlú, secretary general of the Department of Education.
Mr Ó Foghlú said the latest international rankings indicated Ireland was performing better than most countries, especially in literacy, but there was still “some work to do if we want to join the ranks of the best performing countries in the world. That must be our ambition”.
On school patronage, he said existing patrons, and most notably the Catholic Church, would have six months to respond to the results of parental surveys on their preferred school options, currently under way.
In his address, Mr Cottrell said it was fine to compare standards in different countries. “But let’s also compare t he support schools have …Minister, can you imagine the impact on your department if you lost half of your assistant secretaries, half of your principal officers and half of your advisers?”
www.irishtimes.com
Éascaitheoir á lorg le tionscnamh ‘Scéal na Gaeilge’ a fhorbairt
January 28, 2013
Comórtas Díospóireachta Uí Chadhain 2013
January 28, 2013
The European Language Label 2013
January 28, 2013
The European Language Label is a European Commission initiative aimed at improving the quality of language teaching and learning.
The European Language Label is a European Commission initiative which recognises creative and inventive projects to improve the quality of language teaching and learning. Language projects from any institution are welcome to apply. Projects should be innovative, effective and replicable.
The priorities for 2013 are:
Languages for Enjoyment and Sustainable Learning
Languages for Employability and Competitiveness
Language Learning using New Technologies
The Multilingual Classroom – enhancing language and intercultural learning
These priorities are not exclusive, and all projects, both large and small scale, are welcome to apply.
Closing date for applications: Thursday, 28 February 2013
Promotional posters, application forms, and further information available from www.leargas.ie/ell
Language Learner of the Year 2013
The Language Learner of the Year award recognises outstanding individual language learners. It is part of the European Language Label, which is a European Commission initiative.
We invite nominations for the Language Learner of the Year, which highlights the motivation and determination of exceptional language learners, who have tackled the challenges of learning a language and have emerged with significantly improved language skills.
Closing date for applications: Thursday, 28 February 2013
Promotional posters, application forms, and further information available from www.leargas.ie/ell
If you have any queries please contact languages@leargas.ie or telephone 01 887 1263.
Coláiste Sheosaimh mid-term and summer courses now enrolling
January 25, 2013
Bunaíodh Coláiste Sheosaimh i 1960 agus eagraítear Cúrsaí Gaeilge rathúla gach bliain ó shin. Coláiste Sheosaimh is situated about 40 miles west of Galway city.
Since it was first established in 1960 the college has run very successful Irish courses from its two centres in Cárna (Junior College) and Cill Chiaráin (Senior College). The morning classes have been fully revised and restructured to put increased emphasis on oral work in line with the new school curriculum.
An intensive revision course will be held for Higher Level Irish Leaving Cert students during the February mid-term (Feb 8-12). The €350 fee includes full-board accommodation, transport and tuition on all aspects of the Leaving Cert exam – oral, aural and written.
There is also availability on the three-week summer courses running from June 30 to July 21 and July 21 to August 11. The €880 fee includes full board accommodation, transport and tuition. Organisers find that students enjoy their experience both in the college and in its surrounding area.
Is féidir tuilleadh eolais a fháil ó Alma Ní Fhreathaile ar 087 737 6981 nó tabhair cuairt ar an suíomh idirlín www.colaistesheosaimh.com.
http://www.advertiser.ie/mayo.
Múinteoirí le haghaidh cúrsaí samhraidh Gaeilge
January 25, 2013
Dráma Gaeilge ar chamchuairt
January 24, 2013
Aitheantas á lorg don phobal
January 24, 2013
Slí na Mí
January 24, 2013
Aisteoirí Gairmiúla
January 23, 2013
