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Education And Politics News
Dept of Education Inspectorate Report 2021-2023
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 19/12/2024.Tags: Education And Politics Parenting Teachers
The Inspectorate of the Department of Education has published the Department of Education Inspectorate Report (2021-2023) and Thematic Review, presenting many positive findings regarding educational provision in schools, early learning and care settings and [end intro} other educational settings in Ireland.
The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the quality of education provision in such settings between January 2021 and December 2023 and a thematic review of a number of aspects of education provision in Ireland.
Across the continuum of education provision for children aged from birth to eighteen years, inspectors found that children and young people generally experienced high-quality education. The report indicates that school and setting leaders, teachers and educators contributed significantly to maintaining stability in the quality of education provision both during the COVID-19 period and since then.
The report also identifies areas that require development and improvement to strengthen the education system in the coming years.
School attendance: The report notes how the Irish education system has been proactive in addressing school attendance issues that have come to the fore since COVID. It also notes that challenges remain in relation to ensuring that school attendance rates continue to improve to pre-pandemic levels. It highlights that strategies to address attendance should be underpinned by an awareness of the critical link between high-quality responsive teaching and consistently good attendance.
Assessment: One element of the provision of high-quality teaching identified as requiring improvement, to varying degrees, is that of assessment. The report identifies scope for improvement in assessment policies and approaches in a significant proportion of schools. In those schools, the capacity to gather and use assessment information and data to develop student learning plans was found to be underdeveloped. This finding is related to an identified need for better differentiation in teaching strategies and learning tasks in these schools to ensure that appropriate and adaptive teaching can facilitate student-centred learning.
Inclusive education: The inspection programme in primary schools, special schools and post-primary schools during the period 2023-2024 placed a focus on inclusion – with particular reference to the inclusion of children and young people with special educational needs. The inspection findings during that period show that the Irish education system has made significant progress towards inclusive provision. However, the findings also indicate that there are still areas that need improvement to ensure that all children have access to high-quality learning experiences and that they feel valued, respected and included in their school community.
Publishing the report, Chief Inspector Yvonne Keating said:
“Our inspections show that there are significant strengths across the Irish education system, spanning early years, primary, and post-primary levels. Important drivers of these achievements are the professionalism, skills, and commitment of those involved in teaching, in leading our schools and early learning and care settings, and in supporting the learning and wellbeing of children and young people. This strong foundation positions us well to make further progress towards educational excellence for all learners.”
Minister for Education Norma Foley welcomed the publication of the report by the Inspectorate:
“I am delighted to welcome this comprehensive and positive report, which draws upon extensive inspection findings and research taken from across our education sectors. The findings paint a picture of a stable and thriving education system; one that has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability, particularly in the face of recent challenges.
“It acknowledges the significant strides made in creating active and stimulating learning environments, implementing child-centred curricula and striving to foster a sense of belonging among our young learners. These achievements are a testament to the unwavering commitment of our school leaders, teachers, staff members, students, families, and voluntary board members.
“While we should celebrate these successes, we should also recognise the areas identified for further development. The report provides valuable insights into where we can enhance our practices, particularly in the areas of assessment and inclusive education.
“Together, we will build upon this strong foundation to ensure that every child in Ireland has access to the highest quality education, nurturing their potential and preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of the future
VIEW Dept of Education Inspectorate Report (2021-2023) and Thematic Review
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Maths & Science performance decreasing amongst girls
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 04/12/2024.Tags: Education And Politics Teachers
Students in Ireland continue to perform highly in TIMSS 2023 - an international assessment of Mathematics and Science achievement.
€12m funding for Leaving Cert Science
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 04/12/2024.Tags: Education And Politics Teachers
Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, has announced details of a new Science Implementation Support Grant worth €12 million to support schools with the rollout of revised ... click to read full post & comments
Cost-of-Living measures for increased school running costs
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 22/11/2024.Tags: Education And Politics
The Department of Education has issued Circular Letter 0088/2024 seting out the arrangements in relation to the payment of the cost-of-living measure totalling €45 million to support increased ... click to read full post & comments
Budget 2025 Education & Parenting Update
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 01/10/2024.Tags: Education And Politics Teachers Parenting
A total of €1.3 billion has been allocated to the Department of Education for 2025,
This will include:
Schools participating in new Leaving Certificate Subjects
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 20/09/2024.Tags: Education And Politics Teachers Parenting
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has today published the list of 100 selected Phase One Schools that will be the first to offer Leaving Certificate Drama, Film and Theatre Studies and Leaving Certificate Climate Action and Sustainable Development from the start of the 2025/26 school year.
Among the schools participating in phase one, 57 post-primary schools have been ... click to read full post & comments(1)
Commission of Investigation to be set up and Scoping Inquiry Report Published
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 04/09/2024.Tags: Education And Politics Parenting
Minister for Education Norma Foley has announced that a Commission of Investigation is to be established, following a recommendation in the Report of the Scoping Inquiry set up to examine historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by ... click to read full post & comments
12 New & Revised Leaving Cert Subjects
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 04/09/2024.Tags: Education And Politics Teachers Parenting
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has welcomed the publication of 12 new and revised Leaving Certificate subjects and Senior Cycle Programmes. This is part of the Senior Cycle redevelopment which the ... click to read full post & comments
Pilot in-school therapy supports for Special Schools
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 22/08/2024.Tags: Education And Politics Teachers Parenting
Following the 9th August announcement of Government approval of the pilot for enhanced in-school therapy supports for 16 special schools, Minister O’Gorman, Minister Foley, Minister Rabbitte, Minister Naughton, senior HSE and NCSE officials have today ... click to read full post & comments
School of Excellence in Creativity Award 2025
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 01/05/2024.Tags: Teachers Education And Politics
The Department of Education invites expressions of interest from post-primary schools interested in partaking in a project to review, evaluate and develop creativity in their school.
Successful schools will ... click to read full post & comments(1)
New Anti-bullying Initiatives for Schools
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 16/04/2024.Tags: Education And Politics Teachers
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has announced new initiatives to progress work on addressing bullying in schools from September 2024, as part of the Department of Education’s Cineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying. These will include the roll-out of new ... click to read full post & comments(1)
Revised Assessment of Need Process for schools announced
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 16/04/2024.Tags: Education And Politics Teachers Parenting
Minister for Education Norma Foley, TD, and Minister for Special Education and Inclusion, Hildegarde Naughton, TD, have announced a revised assessment of need process for schools.
This revised process has been developed on foot of a recent High Court judgement which found that ... click to read full post & comments
Details of new school book scheme for Junior cycle
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 08/03/2024.Tags: Parentin Education And Politics
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has announced details of a new groundbreaking scheme which provides free schoolbooks to Junior Cycle students in post-primary schools in the ... click to read full post & comments
18,000 Ukrainian students in Irish schools
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 15/01/2024.Tags: Education And Politics Teachers
The Department of Education can confirm that 18,003 Ukrainian pupils had been enrolled in schools across Ireland at the end of December 2023. Out of that figure, 11,165 of these pupils had ... click to read full post & comments
School STEM Grants Trebled
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 21/12/2023.Tags: Education And Politics Teachers
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD today announced a trebling of the budget for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) grants to €4.7m. The announcement, which comes as a result of ... click to read full post & comments
Budget 2024 Education & Parenting Update
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 10/10/2023.Tags: Education And Politics Teachers Parenting
A total of €10.5 billion has been allocated to the Department of Education for 2024, This will include:
Details of My Little Library 2023 announced
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 08/06/2023.Tags: Teachers Education And Politics
Roderic O’ Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, together with Heather Humphreys, Minister for Rural and Community Development, today launched #MyLittleLibrary2023. ... click to read full post & comments(1)
Two new Special Schools announced
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 17/04/2023.Tags: Education And Politics Teachers Parenting
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Minister for Education and Minister of State with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion have announced the establishment of two new special schools as part of a comprehensive update on enhanced education provision for students with special educational needs. ... click to read full post & comments
Minister launches Action Plan for Bullying
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 10/04/2023.Tags: Education And Politics Parenting Teachers
Minister for Education Norma Foley launched the Implementation Plan for Cineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying on 9th April 2023. This is the Department of Education’s whole-education approach to preventing and addressing bullying in schools.
Four key areas of the implementation plan are ... click to read full post & comments
75% of secondary schools received no job applications
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 04/04/2023.Tags: Education And Politics
Three quarters of school leaders reported that they received no applications for an advertised teaching post or posts in the current school year, according to a Red C/ASTI survey published today.
The survey indicates that there are unfilled teaching vacancies in almost half of ... click to read full post & comments
St Endas transfers from catholic patronage to a CNS
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 30/03/2023.Tags: Education And Politics
Minister for Education Norma Foley has announced that St Enda’s National School, Whitefriar Street, Dublin 8, will be transferring from Catholic patronage to the local education and training board to become a ... click to read full post & comments
Report recommends Hot School Meals universal by 2030
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 30/03/2023.Tags: Parenting Teachers Education And Politics
Free Primary School Books from Sept 2023
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 22/03/2023.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
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It was announced in Budget 2023 that every primary school and special school in the country would be included in a new €50 million scheme which would cover all school books, workbooks and ... click to read full post & comments(2)
Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative 2023
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 10/03/2023.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth, Roderic O'Gorman, today launched the Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative 2023. ... click to read full post & comments(2)
STEM Projects get 6 Million Investment
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 06/03/2023.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris and Minister for Education Norma Foley have today announced an investment of more than €6 million in 40 projects to empower diversity and inclusion in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). ... click to read full post & comments
New Primary Curriculum framework expected
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 06/03/2023.Tags: Education And Politics Parenting Teachers
The Irish Times is reporting this morning that a framework for a new primary curriculum is expected to be published soon. This will be the first major propoosed changs to the ... click to read full post & comments
STEM Education Implementation Plan to 2026
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 03/03/2023.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
Minister for Education, Norma Foley, and Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, have today, launched the STEM Education Implementation Plan to 2026. This is the second implementation plan as part of the STEM Education Policy Statement 2017–2026. ... click to read full post & comments
5th year sittings of LCert Papers in Irish and English deferred
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 28/02/2023.Tags: Education And Politics Teachers Parenting
Plans for Leaving Certificate candidates to sit Paper 1 of their English and Irish exams at the end of fifth year have been reversed by the Minister for Education. It is expected that the Minister will advise the cabinet this morning that ... click to read full post & comments(1)
Savings for parents of school going children
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 21/02/2023.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
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The Government has announced a range of targeted cost-of-living measures. Among the measures which will benefit parents of school going children are ... click to read full post & comments
Education Indicators for Ireland Report Published
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 07/02/2023.Tags: Education And Politics
Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris today announced the publication of Education Indicators for Ireland 2022 – which presents a comprehensive set of educational indicators for the education system in Ireland. ... click to read full post & comments
Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN)
Posted by Schooldays Nwshound, on 31/01/2023.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
Purpose of the public consultation
The Department of Education is undertaking a review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004.
The purpose of this review is to provide assurance that the law that governs the provision of education for children with special educational needs is adequate. This is important, in order to ... click to read full post & comments(1)
Working as Substitute while Receiving a Pension
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 27/01/2023.Tags: Education And Politics
Under the current rules in 2023, all retired teachers can work as a teacher for up to 50 days in any calendar year, without pension ‘abatement’ rules applying. ... click to read full post & comments(1)
Participation of children and young people in inspection
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 18/01/2023.Tags: Education And Politics
Promoting the participation of children and young people in inspection.
The Department of Education prioritises the inclusion of children and young people’s views in policy making and development. ... click to read full post & comments(2)
Minister Foley Confirms Transfer of Patronage of Mullingar School
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 12/01/2023.Tags: Education And Politics
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has today announced that Corr Na Madadh National School (roll number 17903N), Athlone, will be transferring from Catholic patronage to the local education and training board to become a multi-denominational community national school. ... click to read full post & comments
Hundreds of Schools Join Creative Clusters & Blast Arts Programme
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 03/01/2023.Tags: Education And Politics
The Minister for Education Norma Foley today announced the awarding of BLAST residencies to 629 schools in 2022-2023, the second year of the BLAST (Bringing Live Arts to Students and Teachers) programme. ... click to read full post & comments
Feeder Schools Lists published for 2022
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 14/12/2022.Tags: Teachers Parenting Education And Politics
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The college progression data or information on ‘feeder schools’ to third level for autumn 2022 is available today on Schooldays.ie providing school-by-school information on which students have progressed to which colleges this year.
To view the information on your school for the last twelve years on Schooldays.ie, visit ... click to read full post & comments
Letter to Principals Concerning Alcohol Resources
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 13/12/2022.Tags: Education And Politics
A circular letter, as advised by the HSE and the Department of Health, addressed alcohol resources for Principals:
Dear Principal,
This note is to confirm that, as advised by the HSE and the Department of Health, it is not appropriate to use resources or materials produced or funded by the alcohol industry for education and awareness on alcohol in schools, or for teachers to attend, in their professional capacity, associated training which may be offered by organisations funded by the alcohol industry. ... click to read full post & comments(1)
Accreditation of National Online Training Programme for SNAs
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 13/12/2022.Tags: Education And Politics
The Minister for Education Norma Foley and the Minister of State with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan today announced that an agreement has been reached between the Department of Education and University College Dublin (UCD) to proceed with the accreditation of a pilot online training programme for special needs assistants (SNAs). ... click to read full post & comments(2)
Ireland's Presidency of the European School System
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 05/12/2022.Tags: Education And Politics
Each academic year, a Member State assumes the Presidency of the European Schools (ES). Ireland officially became part of the Troika alongside Croatia and Italy from 1 August 2021 and has assumed the Presidency of the European Schools from Croatia in 2022-23. ... click to read full post & comments
Action Plan on Bullying
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 01/12/2022.Tags: Education And Politics
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD today launches Cineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying. This landmark new Action Plan is dedicated to the prevention and addressing of bullying, cyber bullying, racism, gender identity bullying or sexual harassment, among other areas, in schools. ... click to read full post & comments
ASTI Demands Radical Action on Teacher Supply
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 01/12/2022.Tags: Education And Politics
The ASTI was represented at a consultative forum held in Dublin today on the crisis of recruitment and retention of teachers in schools. The enormity of the challenges facing schools was fully outlined. ... click to read full post & comments
Funding of 100M to Support Increased School Running Costs
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 30/11/2022.Tags: Education And Politics
The Minister for Education Norma Foley has today announced the provision of €90 million additional funding for schools for the 2022/23 school year, as announced on Budget Day 2023. This once-off payment is to provide additional support to schools given general inflation and increasing energy prices and will be paid to schools before the end of the current school term. ... click to read full post & comments
Housing Crisis Threatens Education System
Posted by Schooldays Newshoud, on 22/11/2022.Tags: Education And Politics
The Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI), Fórsa, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, the Irish Federation of University Teachers, SIPTU (Education) and the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) represent about 110,000 members working in schools, colleges, and education centres across the country. ... click to read full post & comments
Upskilling Programme for SPHE/RSE Teachers
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 18/11/2022.Tags: Education And Politics
The Minister for Education Norma Foley today announced a new postgraduate programme to upskill registered post-primary teachers teaching Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) and Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE). ... click to read full post & comments