Teacher’s Pet
March 6, 2012
Good news for small schools?
The forthcoming referendum on what has been called the “Austerity Treaty” could be good news for small schools and others worried about education cuts. Any final decision on the future of these schools is likely to be delayed until after the summer referendum.
And that’s the only factor working to delay decision-making in education.
Minister Ruairí Quinn would like to publish Prof John Coolahan’s report on the forum on school patronage – but the Government is reluctant to pick another fight with the Catholic church after that row about the Vatican embassy.
Quinn is also due to publish new rules on school admissions. Will this also be delayed for fear of antagonising people in the run-up to the referendum?
New obstacles for DEIS schools?
There is growing unease among Labour backbenchers about the plan which would force all trainee primary teachers to have higher level maths – as well as higher level Irish – in their Leaving Cert results.
There are some grumbles that these tough entry requirements will make it even more difficult for kids from disadvantaged schools to enter teaching. Our view? The whole issue needs revisiting. Insisting on higher-level maths and indeed Irish for those teaching young children makes for good PR – but it makes no practical sense. It’s unfair on pupils – who for all sorts of reasons – may not be up to honours Irish . And it’s unfair on pupils in many schools where higher-level maths is not always available.
And speaking of Irish
With oral Irish now accounting for 40 per cent of Leaving Cert marks, Raidió na Gaeltachta is rolling out a timely new series. Síle Ní Scanláin will present A Rá and the show will include a new radio soap-opera, An Baile Beag, based on teenage life and featuring young Connemara actors.
It is hoped that this will be a fun and creative way to help students with building vocabulary, correct use of tenses and grammar, without feeling like a lesson. Broadcast on Mondays at 10.15am, and rebroadcast on Saturdays at 11.30am. It’s also available on the RTÉ Radio Player.
IRISH TIMES
