Keyword "classroom-central" - List of latest news (374 results)

01:22 Helen McEntee announces ‘largest national conversation on education in the State’s history’

National Convention planned to explore how nation can secure ‘best outcomes in world’ for students

22/04 ‘It’s impossible’: Will teachers be able to stop cheating for new Leaving Cert coursework?

Rise of AI tools is fueling concern among educators over potential for student cheating in projects worth 40%

22/04 No other OECD country spends a lower proportion of GDP on education than Ireland. Why?

In an uncertain world, we need to give our students the best chance of reaching their potential

22/04 Government pledge to lower class sizes in doubt due to ‘overspending’

More than 50,000 pupils are in ‘supersized’ classes with 30 children or more

21/04 Sharp rise in assaults at schools pushing teachers to ‘breaking point’

Almost 60 per cent of educators experienced physical aggression, with rates highest in special schools

21/04 Staff shortages, contentious reforms and chronic underfunding set to dominate teachers’ Easter conferences

Helen McEntee faces a daunting challenge convincing delegates the Government can tackle urgent issues facing schools

10/04 Mission accomplished: Irish teens win top prize in Nasa space design contest

Second-level students eclipse thousands of global competitors with space-settlement plans

10/04 High levels of burnout and poor mental health among teachers

DCU research comes as schools grapple with staff shortages

09/04 First look: Sample Leaving Cert exam papers for brand new subjects

Biggest reforms in half century will see a minimum of 40% awarded for coursework

08/04 Leaving Cert reforms to press ahead this year despite union opposition

Changes in the ‘best interests’ of thousands of students, says Minister for Education Helen McEntee

07/04 School-leavers with disabilities have lots to offer – we must do more to support them

Leaving school means leaving a caring community and a familiar routine. It shouldn’t mean losing one’s ability to leave the house as well

06/04 ‘It’s a gift for life’: How large-scale choirs are building children’s confidence

The National Children’s Choir has helped instil a love of choral singing in primary school pupils for 40 years

31/03 ‘There’s surprise, anger, frustration’: Why chess is taking off in primary schools

While known for promoting problem-solving, most teachers say its impact on children’s social and emotional skills really stands out

31/03 Dyslexia at second level: We need to do more to support students

Many pupils with additional needs fall outside the criteria to access support such as additional teaching, language exemptions and help with exams

27/03 Almost all Irish primary schools employed unqualified substitutes in last academic year

Principal says staff shortages placing ‘immense pressure’ on schools

24/03 ‘A successful parent-teacher meeting is one where they don’t make a beeline for the principal after speaking with you’

An effective meeting can be done in two minutes if you say what you need to say and brook no unnecessary diversions

24/03 Teacher training to include mandatory placements in special education

Move comes after threefold increase in prevalence of autism in the last 10 years

23/03 My daughter wants to be a therapist but CAO points are high. Are there other options?

The Government is funding places for students from the Republic on healthcare courses in the North

21/03 Parents urged to delay smartphones for children amid ‘alarming’ rise in toxic masculinity - Simon Harris

Tánaiste says Conor McGregor and Andrew Tate exploit insecurities and reinforce dangerous narratives among boys

20/03 Plan to turn Synge Street CBS into Gaelcholáiste to proceed despite staff concerns

Teachers opposed to move amid concern over Irish language competency and impact on diverse school community

19/03 Oral exams for Leaving Cert English: How will they work?

Oral presentations are increasingly being used at third level in response to AI – and secondary schools are set to follow suit

19/03 Leaving Cert students to face oral exams in English under sweeping changes

Draft plan would see candidates quizzed on plays or books at end of fifth year

19/03 Many special needs students struggle to access career advice at second level, finds study

Research tracks experiences of vulnerable young people and level of support offered by schools

18/03 ‘There will be challenges’: Are primary schools ready to teach foreign languages?

We are least likely in the EU to know other languages but curriculum changes for younger pupils may help change that

17/03 Private counselling sessions are the new school grinds

In wanting to comfort our children and ease their burden, we are in danger of depriving them of learning for themselves

15/03 Q&A: Why are teachers worried about AI and the Leaving Cert?

Teachers' union seeks legal indemnity to protect members who must authenticate students' work

12/03 Most parents believe pandemic harmed their children’s social development - CSO study

Covid restrictions resulted in school closures and cancellation of exams

11/03 ‘They’re walking taller’: disabled adults learning tech skills from transition year students

An innovative transition year programme is empowering disabled adults and boosting students’ leadership skills

11/03 One in 20 Irish schoolchildren diagnosed with autism – a threefold rise

Increase is posing challenges for education authorities to find appropriate school places for children with additional needs

10/03 Children less ‘ready’ to start school and have more emotional problems since pandemic - study

Study finds most junior infants teachers say classroom behaviour is worse and fewer children pay attention

07/03 Inflated Leaving Cert results set to drop for first time in five years

Students from class of 2025 will be at disadvantage compared to students with bumper grades over recent years

07/03 ‘Our students need outdoor space’: Dublin school says students will lose access to pitch and running track under new plans

Department of Education plans to locate special school on grounds of Belmayne Educate Together Secondary School on temporary basis

04/03 ‘The quiet child down the back might actually be an excellent leader’

A non-profit organisation is aiming to help young people become better listeners, improve their resilience and develop inner strength. But can pupils really learn to lead?

03/03 Secret Teacher: Too many school leaders bow to parent power. They bend the knee or rarely back their staff

I’m sure there are principals who have the conviction to do the right thing. I just haven’t met them yet

03/03 Schools in poorest areas to get extra support under ‘Deis-plus’ scheme

McEntee plans to tackle drop-off in school attendance with supports for at-risk pupils

02/03 My daughter wants to drop a foreign language in the Leaving Cert. Should she?

It is worrying that continental language take-up at Leaving Cert level is dropping

01/03 ‘Why must we fight for our children’s basic rights?’ – Parents sleep out over lack of school places for pupils with special needs

McEntee says department doing ‘everything possible’ to help

26/02 All schools eligible for free solar panels to help tackle energy bills

Initiative aims to deliver average savings of up to €1,600 a year per school and reduce carbon footprint

24/02 Two issues on Helen McEntee’s desk will provide an early clue to her ambitions as Minister for Education

How she proposes to address them – and the extent of her resolve and ambition in managing her new portfolio – will become clear over the coming months

24/02 Concern over rise in alleged assaults of special needs pupils

Forty parents planning legal actions over mistreatment, Department of Education records show

17/02 ‘I fell into teaching. I’d be lying if I said otherwise’

Competency is great and everything, but we’re not curing cancer: we’re trying to model decency and help young people develop into worthwhile adults

14/02 Future of Synge Street switch to Gaelcholáiste in doubt

Board of management says it will ‘not be proceeeding’ with planned move in 2026

14/02 ‘The tide is turning’: why more parents are delaying access to smartphones for children starting secondary school

Mounting concern over role of social media algorithms in pushing inappropriate content to young people

13/02 School meals to be made available during summer in bid to tackle ‘holiday hunger’

Many pupils taking part in summer programme will have access to ‘nutritious’ lunches

11/02 ‘We certainly didn’t cancel Christmas’: What happens when a Catholic school turns multidenominational?

Uniforms are on the way out and teaching staff are adjusting to a new ethical education curriculum

10/02 ‘The pressure is relentless’: parents voice support for phone ban in schools

€9m smartphone pouches at second level sparked criticism from Opposition parties who labelled it wasteful and unnecessary

10/02 Stigma persists that disadvantaged students ‘low-achieving’ or ‘non-academic’

Many poorer schools saddled with sub-standard classroom facilities, research finds

09/02 My son did poorly in the mocks and is now very worried. How can I get him on the right track?

It’s much better to make mistakes now rather than in June. There’s plenty of time to use the experience positively over the coming months

06/02 ‘We’ve lost 11 days of school ... attendance has collapsed‘: Principals on the enduring effects of Storm Éowyn

While power has been restored to most schools, teachers feel children’s needs have not been prioritised

06/02 Primary teachers to be trained to teach foreign languages over several years

Pupils to learn French, German or other languages from third class onwards

05/02 McEntee to push ahead with €9m smartphone pouches plan despite study casting doubt over their merits

New research found banning phones in schools is not linked to pupils getting higher grades or having better mental health

04/02 Irish schools struggling without guidance on safe AI use in the classroom

Mandatory training for teachers under EU law may be a challenge due to limited budgets and time constraints

28/01 A student should be able to communicate well through Irish by 15. The reality is very different

We need to ensure language lessons are active, engaging and fun instead of pure drudgery

28/01 What Ireland can learn from Finnish schools in tackling disinformation

The Nordic country is helping students learn about spotting false information. Is there space in the Irish curriculum to do the same?

23/01 Paying travel costs may boost supply of substitute teachers to tackle classroom staff shortages, report finds

Insufficient cover across schools despite large number of substitutes, Department of Education study finds

22/01 Storm Éowyn: Schools, childcare and colleges to close on Friday due to red weather alert

Ireland weather: Automatic closure of education facilities triggered by Met Éireann status red warning

22/01 Most secondary teachers will struggle to authenticate students’ work under Leaving Cert reforms, survey finds

Exam integrity will be compromised by access to artificial intelligence tools, ASTI says

21/01 ‘We’re not going back to a world before AI’: how technology is changing the classroom

Teachers are harnessing the power of artificial intelligence – and navigating its pitfalls – with the help of new courses

20/01 As a visually impaired Leaving Cert student, I feel ignored, frustrated and voiceless

Students with visual impairments should be able to access modified or enlarged mock State exam papers

20/01 Call for ‘urgent’ review of new restraint guidelines in schools

Rules fall ‘far short’ short of what is needed to protect vulnerable pupils, special rapporteur on child protection says

20/01 More than 20,000 pupils with Irish exemptions on grounds of learning disabilities studied European languages last year

Dyslexia group says there are genuine reasons why students with additional needs go on to study French or German

17/01 Schools told not to accept psychologists’ reports for Irish exemptions

Some principals ‘under pressure’ from parents seeking permission for children to not study language

14/01 Leaving Cert 2.0: What to expect from the reformed senior cycle

Students starting fifth year in September will be the first to experience sweeping changes

13/01 Gender identity not included in draft primary school curriculum

Body finalising shake-up to curriculum says topic not referenced in new syllabus despite ‘misinformation’

13/01 Plan to introduce foreign languages at primary level could ‘divert time from Irish’

New curriculum for primary schools draws contrasting reactions from teachers, parents and other stakeholders

13/01 It’s time to get rid of the damaging Leaving Cert points race

Unrestricted access to third level education in Ireland would allow schools to educate holistically and give pupils a chance to flourish in the subjects they enjoy most

12/01 I worry that if my son doesn’t apply to the CAO he will limit his options

Parental expectations can – unintentionally – distract students and distort course choices

10/01 Tension between teachers and special-needs assistants flagged in official report

SNAs' ‘over-familiarith’ with students’ parents can result in sensitive information being shared, say school leaders

07/01 Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael pledged to build a fairer, stronger and more inclusive education system. Now it’s time to deliver

Reducing class sizes, addressing the teacher supply crisis and bolstering school leadership must be priorities for the next government

06/01 Schools to close in areas badly affected by snow and ice

Department of Education expects most schools to open as normal on Monday despite conditions

05/01 Crises and controversy: our predictions on what’s next for education in 2025

Expect battles over Leaving Cert reform, artificial intelligence hysteria, skills shortages and a farewell to the Easi Singles cheese sandwich

05/01 My son is stressed about the February 1st CAO deadline. Is this really the cut-off point?

There is no need to fret: in most cases, students have until July 1st to finalise their course choices

04/01 The first Leaving Cert 100 years ago: girls-only exams, botany tests and imperial measures

The biggest reforms to the exam in a century are due to roll out later this year. Are schools ready for the challenge?

02/01 High levels of exemptions from studying Irish at second-level schools queried by officials

Principals say rise in students from abroad and pupils with additional needs are behind high numbers

01/01 A crisis years in the making: Second-level pupils in classes without qualified teachers

Roots of the teacher-shortage problem and ‘out of field’ teaching go back decades

01/01 Hundreds of teaching posts vacant at secondary schools across country, report finds

Unpublished Department of Education draft study finds a further 800 posts were occupied by teachers unqualified to teach subject

23/12 Taxpayers are subsidising private schools by more than €140m a year

Sinn Féin and Labour want to end State funding for fee-charging schools but Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael support current system

20/12 School’s rules on ear piercings may amount to indirect discrimination, WRC says

Boy (16) made complaint under Equal Status Act in relation to school’s contention that he should take out stud or have both ears pierced

19/12 School attendance among pupils drops significantly since Covid-19 pandemic

About 42% of primary pupils in disadvantaged areas are missing more than 20 days of school, an increase linked to the Covid-19 pandemic

10/12 ‘I woke up one morning to 2,000 comments. I’ve had death threats’: How schools deal with social media fallout

Online hatred and toxicity can be hugely damaging, but are digital literacy classes really enough to tackle it?

10/12 Was Michael O’Leary right about teachers after all?

Teaching exodus continues, but educators are collectively doing little to change their lot

08/12 Anti-choking devices donated to primary schools despite HSE advising against use

Meals provider Lunch Bag is donating LifeVac devices to schools despite HSE advice that anti-choking devices should not be used due to lack of research on efficacy

08/12 Boys will be boys: why gender attitudes of today’s schoolchildren are remarkably traditional

Pupils associate being a ‘good’ girl with niceness and politeness, while ‘good’ boys are strong and excel at football

06/12 Children who attend mixed schools have more friends, study finds

Research highlights influence of gender on pupils’ aspirations and sense of belonging at school

04/12 Our boys are outperforming girls in maths and science at second level. Why?

New global study on maths and science performance reveals strengths and weaknesses in Irish education

04/12 Pupils in Ireland among top maths performers in Europe, global study finds

East Asian countries such as Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea continue to dominate

03/12 Transition year gap: ‘Why is it only some schools get to go on trips abroad?’

The revolutionary programme introduced 50 years ago has proved hugely popular - but not all students have equal access to engaging and life-changing experiences

02/12 Crises, reforms and funding challenges: six key issues facing the next minster for education

The manifestos of the main political parties put an emphasis on boosting funding for the sector, but what will the new government be able to deliver?

26/11 Political party manifestos lack ambition to tackle teacher supply crisis

While useful initiatives are proposed, there is little sign staff shortages will be tackled in a fundamental way. Too many parties seem happy to tinker until changing demographics ‘solve’ the problem

26/11 ‘Parents were apprehensive’: the school where ‘risky’ play is on the timetable

Some teachers believe climbing trees and other outdoor self-directed controlled risk-taking are crucial for fostering self-confidence and resilience

24/11 Autism: Why are so many children being diagnosed these days?

As many as one in 20 schoolchildren in Ireland may have autism or similar developmental issues, studies suggest

23/11 Sharp increase in autism to require thousands of additional special needs places in schools

Official estimates point to a near doubling in proportion of children with autism in need of support at school within five years

21/11 Parents’ group criticises closure of hundreds of schools to facilitate general election

Schools to shut for third time this year following last March’s referendum and local elections in June

20/11 Students deserve a reformed Leaving Cert that prepares them for the modern world

Plans to introduce more project work would reduce pressure and provide a broader assessment of candidates’ abilities over a longer time

19/11 Explainer: why are second level teachers protesting outside schools today?

Unions want Leaving Cert reforms to be delayed, but Norma Foley says millions is being invested to support changes

19/11 Teachers protest in bid to delay Leaving Cert reform

Unions say school day will not be disrupted by demonstrations over pace of senior cycle changes

19/11 Phone pouches: What happens when a school locks its students’ mobiles away?

Minister for Education Norma Foley’s funding for phone pouches has been controversial, but the solution has proved transformative for St Raphaela’s school in Co Dublin

17/11 My daughter wants to study engineering at college. I’m not sure it’s right for her

A degree in this area opens a vast array of career pathways and is highly valued around the world

15/11 More than 4,600 Irish teachers working abroad as schools at home struggle with staff shortages - study

Teacher supply posing challenges for schools, especially in the greater Dublin area where rents are high

12/11 ‘We need extra time now’: Students with additional needs call for State exam changes

Many neurodiverse pupils are high achievers, but the education assessment system can present them with unique challenges

11/11 Grind schools are booming. Would they offer any advantage in a properly resourced education system?

Schools are a dense web of educational experiences and social relations. How well does the grind-school offering compare on this front?

07/11 Learning outcomes slide for Irish pupils, report finds

Education levels have stagnated or slowly declined across much of the world, says Unesco

05/11 Mobile phone pouches ‘transformational’ and improved social interaction, Department of Education told

Schools with experience of pouches overwhelmingly positive, according to internal briefing

27/10 A super-charged technology threatens to destroy the integrity of the Leaving Cert

Additional assessment components worth 40% are being introduced at a time when AI tools are developing rapidly and relentlessly

23/10 Dozens of pupils unable to secure school places being taught at home

Enrolment pressure at second level most acute in Greater Dublin Area

22/10 ‘Dealing with parents can be scary’: New teachers on life in today’s classroom

Although many young teachers are emigrating, most have chosen to stay in Ireland. Five of them share their experiences

21/10 Teacher supply crisis: ‘There are times when we’ve had no applications for vacant positions’

Recruitment challenges mean vulnerable children can end up without vital support, says principal Conor McCarthy

21/10 Concern over ‘competence and confidence’ of some teachers in all-Irish schools

Minister for Education urged to ‘urgently’ release draft of long-awaited policy on Irish language education

21/10 Thousands of children left with unqualified teachers amid staffing ‘crisis’

Primary school leaders say difficulties filling staff vacancies is having a ‘profound’ impact on the quality of education

18/10 Five new special schools to be established next year amid rise in pupils with additional needs

Two of schools will be based in Dublin, while the remainder in Cork, Monaghan and Tipperary

16/10 Parents advised to apply to ‘multiple’ secondary schools due to pressure on places

As post-primary enrolments climb to highest level on record, Department of Education says there are sufficient school places in most areas

16/10 Female school principals face much higher rates of bullying and violence, study finds

Study based on data collected from more than 600 school leaders in Irish second level schools

15/10 Visually impaired pupils ‘excluded’ from PE classes and school trips

Oireachtas committee told students need much greater levels of support to access curriculum

10/10 Pupils will not watch sexually explicit material ‘under any circumstance’ in SPHE classes, Foley says

Teacher claimed in viral video new resources include graphic videos on masturbation and sex acts

08/10 I see students in class watching sport on YouTube or shopping on Amazon. The pull of internet distraction is exhausting

Banning phones in schools is just the start – we need to do more to educate pupils on fighting the urge of distraction when they feel uncomfortable or bored

08/10 ‘It’s common knowledge teachers lie about their faith’: Is religion a barrier to getting a job as a primary teacher?

Critics say a requirement to hold a religious certificate in most national schools means many new teachers have to uphold something they don’t believe

06/10 I worry my daughter will drift during a ‘doss’ transition year. Should she skip it?

This can be particularly beneficial for students who thrive in interactive and collaborative learning environments.

01/10 Free schoolbooks extended to Leaving Cert and free meals for all primary pupils from next year

Budget 2025: Last year’s ‘one-off’ €1,000 cut to third level fees extended into the new academic year

01/10 Some Deis schools no longer meet the qualifying criteria. This undermines the entire credibility of the programme

Inequities in Irish education policy, which have been ignored for so long, will not be addressed any time soon

01/10 ‘In school people are scared to be a bit strange’: Gifted students on life in mainstream schools

Exceptionally able students can often feel like outsiders - but many feel at home at the Centre for Talented Youth Ireland

29/09 I don’t want to give my child a smartphone but worry he will feel left out if I don’t

Parents have felt powerless in the face of advances in technology - that, hopefully, is changing

24/09 Alan Hynes: A discriminatory law has become a block on the divestment of Catholic schools

Alone among faith schools, Catholic schools are prevented from prioritising children from families committed to their ethos. The legislation is up for review

20/09 Anger as ‘paltry’ €2,000 incentive scheme for new teachers will be taxable

Teachers’ union says new measure will have negligible impact on teacher supply

19/09 All schoolchildren to be invited to take part in ‘folklore project for the 21st century’

Initiative follows ‘groundbreaking’ project of 1930s which captured thousands of pupils’ voices

19/09 Students perform best with regular homework tasks of up to 15 minutes, research shows

Maynooth University study finds ‘little and often’ approach is just as effective as longer assignments

18/09 Principals condemn ‘vacuous’ OECD review which missed ‘severe deprivation’ in some schools

Department of Education’s own information repeated in report, leaders of schools in disadvantaged areas say

11/09 Synge Street CBS is to admit girls for first time in 160 years and become an all-Irish Gaelcholáiste

Dublin school’s past pupils include taoisigh, presidents and high profile figures from media and sporting worlds

10/09 Teachers’ salaries have declined in real terms in recent years, OECD report finds

Ireland spends less on education per student compared to average across developed countries

10/09 ‘I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous’: Why these teenagers are moving to secondary schools abroad

Four Irish students have won scholarships for two years to study the International Baccalaureate in different parts of the globe

10/09 ‘There are Caitrionas in every school – young people quietly struggling and suffering’

Return to school is a time when students who are not coping are potentially less likely to be detected. And this is nobody’s fault; it is a systemic problem

03/09 Teachers should not be forced to deliver ‘sensitive’ sex education classes - union

New curriculum - including sexual consent and attitudes to pornography - to be mandatory at senior cycle

03/09 ‘It was awful. He wouldn’t get out of the car’: Why more children are refusing to go to school

The pandemic magnified issues such as anxiety and bullying for students. Alternative education providers are responding, but some are hugely oversubscribed

02/09 AI tools could revolutionise education but leave Gaelscoileanna behind

Irish-language schools may be faced with an impossible choice: embrace second-rate AI or forgo the potential benefits of automation

02/09 ‘It’s an absolute nightmare’: Hundreds of schoolchildren with tickets told no buses available

Delays awarding contracts and driver shortages have delayed resumption of services in some areas, Bus Éireann says

28/08 Schools issued with details on policing mobile phone ban

Detailed letter from Minister for Education to school managers outlines how they can implement more ‘stringent’ policies

25/08 Record numbers of students did not sit Irish Leaving Cert exam this year

Studying the language is mandatory at second level, but there is no obligation to sit the exam

25/08 Teachers’ salaries in Singapore are on par with accountants and engineers. Why not here?

Government response to growing teacher shortages has been frustratingly slow and ineffective. Radical action is long overdue

22/08 Leaving Cert results are out on Friday. What can students expect?

Another bumper set of inflated grades is on the cards, but CAO points race may be fierce

21/08 Back-to-school anxiety, homework battles and lunches your kids might actually eat: advice from the classroom experts

For students moving up to second level, it is important to help foster their independence in small but significant ways

21/08 Fee-paying schools lose their sheen as proportion of students in private education declines

More school places being created in free education sector as second-level student numbers climb to record high

27/06 New teachers to receive €2,000 incentive to stay year in Irish classrooms

Initiative comes as primary and secondary schools struggle to find qualified teachers

22/06 ‘We have heard horrible stories of what can happen’: Leaving Cert holidays spell euphoria for students but anxiety for parents

Portuguese resort Albufeira is the hottest destination for post-exam trips this year, while the Greek island of Zante is popular among south Dublin schools

20/06 ‘Every day he asks and every day our hearts break’: Children with special needs lack school places for September

All children have a diagnosis of autism and require either a special class or special school placement in order to meet their assessed needs.

18/06 Pupils’ seaweed soap business cleans up at entrepreneur awards

More than 100,000 students have participated in the Junior Entrepreneur Programme since 2010

17/06 Extra lab funding needed to avoid ‘unfair’ advantage under Leaving Cert reforms

Senior cycle reforms will require physics, chemistry and biology students to complete science investigations worth 40% of marks

12/06 ‘This is horrendous - it’s no way to treat a child’: Parents’ anger over lack of school places in Taoiseach’s home town

All three secondary schools in Greystones, Co Wicklow are heavily oversubscribed

11/06 Parents to be polled on school preferences in bid to accelerate school choice

Almost 90 per cent of the 3,600 primary schools in the State remain Catholic in ethos

10/06 Hundreds of schools appeal ‘cuts’ to learning support hours

About 120 schools to get 1,000 additional hours after flagging inadequate support for vulnerable pupils

04/06 Leaving Cert 2024: Exam survival guide for students (and parents)

Exams get under way on Wednesday, June 5th, with English paper one at 9.30am

04/06 The Leaving Certificate isn’t about rote learning and regurgitation - that would be purposeless

The English exam can only be successfully approached with critical thinking. Learning off an essay is a waste of time

04/06 ‘The bill landed like a hand grenade’: Principals face tough choices to avoid schools going into deficits

Many primary schools say they are relying on cash reserves to cover basic running costs

04/06 Most primary schools running deficits amid rising costs, survey finds

Schools cutting back on learning resources and increasing requests for parent contributions to bridge gaps

29/05 Most end-of-year school reports aren’t truly fit for purpose

To limit a report only to the academic is to define a child by one very small facet of their complex selves

28/05 Why Estonia has top marks: Lessons from Europe’s best school system

The Eastern European country has become an educational powerhouse but faces also faces challenges

26/05 Parents’ anxiety about maths may affect children’s performance, study finds

Pupils who played maths computer game developed by researchers showed significant improvement in their skills

26/05 My son thinks his ‘inflated’ Leaving Cert results will give him an advantage in the CAO points race. Is this true?

Grades will begin to return towards more normal patterns from next year

25/05 Meet the most influential figure in Irish education - and why he thinks the Leaving Cert is deeply flawed

Irish schools good at educating ‘average student’. That will not be good enough in future, says Andreas Schleicher

22/05 Junior Cycle reforms leaving students unprepared for Leaving Cert, say principals and teachers

Study finds teacher professional collaboration and dialogue has increased significantly

22/05 ‘Keep childhood smartphone free’: Minister says operators pledge not to sell smartphones to under 13s

Norma Foley says Government will consider legislation if required to help protect children at primary school

20/05 ‘In every school there are students like John who hunger for fewer disruptions to their timetabled week’

No two students experience school the same way. A heightened awareness of that increases our chances of spotting who needs us most

20/05 How to make the most of the Leaving Cert run-in: Study tips, social media and taking breaks

Teachers and experts share their subject-by-subject guide for how to best prepare for the exams

20/05 Rise in school absenteeism: ‘Some stay up too late on their phones until 3 or 4am’

Guidance counsellors say anxiety issues and lack of sleep mean more students are not attending classes

15/05 Students to get digital media literacy lessons to help combat misinformation

Strategy says young learners need enhanced skills to help navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world

15/05 Secondary students regularly see ‘toxic’ content on social media, survey finds

More than two-thirds report using AI tools, with almost half using ChatGPT for school-related tasks

14/05 ‘Change must come’: One man’s fight to end Northern Ireland’s segregated education

Just 8% of children in the North attend integrated schools. 90-year-old former priest David Rice says helping to change this is his final battle

13/05 I visited Singapore to see why it is ranked as the top education system in the world. Here’s what I learned

Low pupil-teacher ratios, well-equipped classrooms and dedicated teachers contribute to positive learning atmosphere in modern schools

08/05 ‘It’s the last hurdle’: Foley to seek funding to extend free schoolbooks to senior cycle students

Initiative covers primary pupils and will extend to Junior Cycle students in September

07/05 ‘It’s revolutionising the classroom’: Meet the teachers embracing AI

There are risk with the use of AI in education, but it also has huge potential to improve teaching and learning

07/05 ‘There is a lesson that will never feature on a school timetable but which we could all benefit from’

There is a lesson that will never feature formally on a school timetable but which we could all benefit from devoting more time to

06/05 Parents in Ireland waiting longer than ever to send children to school, data shows

Almost 85% of junior infants are now aged five years or more when

03/05 Principals under ‘huge’ pressure to deliver free schoolbooks scheme on time

Norma Foley pledges support for school leaders amid complaints of complicated procurement and lack of human resources

02/05 Secondary schools relying on parents to prop up finances, says managerial body

Reliance on parental contributions of €30m a year to avoid deficits ‘degrading’ for schools and families

30/04 ‘Students are struggling in ways we haven’t seen before’

A new ESRI study on voluntary secondary schools sheds new light on the enduring impact of the pandemic on students

30/04 Most students in single-sex schools want mixed enrolment

Ireland has high proportion of all-boys and all-girls schools in comparison to other European countries

29/04 Anyone can teach anything in schools – just like they did a century ago

In the early days of the State about half of second-level teachers were unqualified to teach their subjects. How much has really changed?

29/04 Age checks for social media aimed at protecting primary schoolchildren are ‘broken’, says Norma Foley

Up to up to half of sixth class pupils included in Snapchat groups in some schools

28/04 ‘I’m overwhelmed by the number of students with anxiety issues. I worry we’re letting them down’

Norma Foley is planning new supports to help schools. Whether it will be enough is another matter

27/04 ‘For a long time there’s been an image problem’: apprenticeships attracting more people as snobbery fades

Record numbers chose apprenticeships last year, with starting salaries for many now exceeding college graduates

23/04 Younger teachers in Catholic schools less likely to believe in God or attend religious services

Study finds capacity to foster Catholic ethos of schools ‘shrinking’ with decline in those able to deliver faith-based education

23/04 ‘Too many of us are stressed and losing sleep’: Students on why school needs to change

Pupils on our panel say we need more creativity, less emphasis on homework and greater recognition of learning outside school

19/04 Sharp drop in primary school enrolments may result in smaller class sizes in coming years

Pupil numbers projected to drop by 100,000, or almost one fifth, within a decade

17/04 ‘Gradual’ return to normal Leaving Cert results to begin from next year

This year’s Leaving Cert results to issue on August 23rd, earlier than last year

16/04 ‘Even the yard is too small’: School working out of prefabs for 30 years

Pupils at Clondalkin primary school to protest outside Leinster House this week over delays to new school building

15/04 Final countdown: how students can make the most of the run-in to the State exams

Even if they feel overwhelmed, there are lots of things Junior Cycle and Leaving Cert candidates can still do to maximise their chances of success

12/04 Catholic primary school in Dublin switches to multideominational patronage

St Mary’s in Dublin 7 is first Catholic school to come under Educate Together patronage in State as part of pilot programme

11/04 Why introduce a new Leaving Cert subject on climate action? Geographers have been teaching these issues for years

Inserting geography content into a new subject risks, at best, duplication of material and, at worst, the loss of a rich and long history of solution-finding

09/04 ‘It’s time it was taught, however dark it is’: Educating students about mother and baby homes

The topic is not on the school curriculum, but a new education programme on Ireland’s culture of concealment aims to change that

08/04 Young people have outgrown our education system. How we respond is a conversation we need to have

Students are missing out by having teachers who choose to bring less to the table than they could if they felt more motivated

07/04 ‘My daughter in fifth year is very creative, but I worry if the arts is a good path to follow’

There are good job prospects in creative industries, especially in the film and audio-visual sector

04/04 Many parents unaware special education staff do not need additional qualifications, conference hears

ASTI event told key roles such as co-ordinators of education supports for students with additional needs not officially recognised

03/04 Primary teachers urge removal of Catholic religious certificate needed to teach in most schools

INTO hears State has ‘abdicated responsibility to religious organisations for too long’

03/04 ‘We can’t afford to live in the capital’: Could a Dublin allowance improve teacher supply?

We asked delegates at teaching union conferences if they support calls for teachers in urban areas to be paid more to reflect higher living costs

03/04 ‘It hits you in the heart’: Teacher considered leaving school over ‘ridicule’ on TikTok

ASTI teachers back calls for stronger laws to prevent online abuse and cyberbullying

03/04 Teacher unions ASTI and TUI announce survey of members over possible merger

Move could pave way for single union with 40,000 teachers at second and third level.

03/04 Transition year students to have access to road safety classes amid concern over rising crash deaths

Twelve road fatalities recorded among under-16s last year as well as 48 in 16 to 26 age group

02/04 ‘Children are using AI, whether we like it or not’

Delegates at the teaching unions’ conferences discuss the rise of artificial intelligence in the classroom

02/04 Artificial intelligence poses cheating risk to Leaving Cert, teachers warn

Reforms aim to reduce pressure on candidates by spreading assessment load, Norma Foley says

02/04 Use of seclusion and restraint ‘common’ for autistic pupils, survey finds

Majority of public feel children should be helped as opposed to punished if they become stressed in a classroom

02/04 Teachers want to teach, not tick boxes. AI could be key to realising this

We must harness the potential of technology while ensuring that risks are adequately policed

01/04 Sharp rise in sexual images generated by primary school pupils, Foley warns

State regulator is aware of more predators using social media to extort children once they provide compromising images, Minister for Education says

01/04 ‘Unparalleled’ teacher supply crisis leads to 2,000 vacancies in schools, INTO says

Norma Foley says new pay deal will increase starting salaries for teachers to €46,000 and €85,000 at top end

01/04 ‘We’re haemorrhaging young blood to greener pastures’: Teachers on prospects for new entrants

Delegates at the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation annual congress in Derry share their views on prospects for new entrants

01/04 No megaphones or slow handclaps: why Norma Foley can expect easier ride at this year’s teachers’ conferences

Teaching unions have signed up to a public sector pay deal by a huge margin of up to 85 per cent

01/04 Half of younger teachers consider emigration due to living costs - poll

Teaching unions’ Easter conferences get underway with debate around a recruitment and retention ‘crisis’ set to dominate

01/04 ‘Why are CAO points so high if there are so many pathways to careers nowadays’

The points race is no longer the be-all and end-all thanks to the growth of alternative routes

01/04 ‘By Friday, I’m so tired I can barely see straight’: The rise of long-distance commuting teachers

Staff shortages linked to high living costs will dominate teacher unions’ annual conferences this year

01/04 Calls for Irish teachers to be rewarded for service abroad to ease supply ‘crisis’

Recruitment and retention set to dominate teaching unions’ Easter conferences as Foley announces new funding package for schools

01/04 Schools ill-equipped to deliver Leaving Cert reforms, say Science teachers

Plan to allocate 40% for research projects ‘cannot be implemented’ without funding to ensure all schools have sufficient laboratory resources

30/03 Students are stressed, teachers have little choice, creativity suffers: Why the Irish classroom needs to change right now

Leading entrepreneurs, educators, cultural figures and scientists share their views on how to future-proof education

25/03 The Secret Teacher: Too many achieve too little for want of that one single adult

All youngsters can benefit from an adult who observes their needs closely and attentively

25/03 Rollout of free schoolbooks for Junior Cycle students ‘in doubt’

More than 80 per cent of principals say necessary supports to navigate procurement process not in place

24/03 My son is in fourth class, and the scramble for a secondary-school place has begun

Planning failures and a chaotic school admissions process cause sleepless nights for too many families

19/03 Plan to oblige teachers to assess disabled children’s needs will ‘overwhelm’ schools

Department of Education is finalising new rules, but schools say system is in ‘crisis’

18/03 ‘It’s like the Hunger Games’: Parents battle for places in oversubscribed schools

There are more applications than places available across dozens of school districts, new figures show

18/03 Where are the most oversubscribed secondary schools in Ireland?

Unpublished school capacity survey shows the volume of school planning areas where demand exceeds supply of places

17/03 ‘My daughter is panicking about the Leaving Cert orals. It’s her first real exam’

The best approach is to immerse yourself in the language and understand how marks are awarded

14/03 Department of Education disputes accuracy of school principals’ petition over controversial changes to learning support

Department says 100 signatories were either not school leaders or are principals at schools unaffected by the changes

12/03 Leaving Cert orals: Examiners share the secrets of success

Do you need to be up to speed on current affairs? Is there a bonus for taking on difficult topics? How should you react if you don’t understand the question? We asked exam experts to find out

12/03 As the mock results sink in, a tide of blame rises in some classrooms

The craic may have been good for best part of two years, but there is now a realisation that a high price is to be paid for taking such a route

11/03 Teenagers to receive empathy classes under redeveloped transition year

Programme on activating compassion is supported by Cillian Murphy and is found to boost levels of concern and understanding of others

10/03 My daughter loves Irish - but I’m not sure it’s a good career move for her

Many State companies are obliged to provide better public services in Irish and are recruiting accordingly

07/03 New primary school curriculum: the changes on the way and what they mean for children

Pupils will spend more time learning foreign languages, science and technology – and less time on religion

06/03 Most schools appealing for more learning support hours are turned down

Figures come amid controversy over reforms to how resources will be provided to thousands of students with disabilities

06/03 New primary school curriculum to teach sex education at earlier stage

Public consultation opens on the biggest planned shake-up to primary education in 25 years

05/03 Almost all parents fear child will lose resources under special education reforms, poll finds

Survey highlights ‘fundamental concerns’ of families, says three disability advocacy organisations

28/02 Reform of Leaving Cert science subjects risks giving ‘unfair advantage’ to pupils in private schools

University lecturers say access to laboratory equipment and technicians is better in fee-charging sector

27/02 Can schools stand up to the bullies?

New rules will oblige principals to record all cases of bullying behaviour, but some parents feel the measures will make little difference

27/02 ‘He has the worst teacher. At this rate, he has no chance of doing higher for the Leaving’

The Secret Teacher: Parents need to trust that teachers will do right by their children. It is a big ask, but a necessary one

25/02 My son struggles with Irish, but can’t get an exemption. Why is it still a core subject?

Those in favour and against Irish as core Leaving Cert subject generally agree that overhaul is needed

25/02 ‘It was carnage’: Why schools are powering off students’ smartphones

Once seen as the future of self-directed learning, secondary schools are increasingly moving to restrict or ban phones

23/02 Hundreds of Children will struggle to get school places due to building delay, say campaigners

Work yet to commence on promised 1,000-pupil secondary school in Greystones despite enrollment pressure

23/02 Calls to pause rollout of controversial changes to teaching hours for vulnerable pupils

Campaigners warn that one in three schools will lose support for disabled children while others would gain enhanced hours

21/02 Putting Barbie on the Leaving Cert isn’t dumbing down the English curriculum. It’s the perfect match

Senior cycle English is centred around critical thinking. We look at every text and try to see what’s actually going on beneath the surface

21/02 ‘An animal wouldn’t be treated this way’: 35% of children with disabilities secluded or restrained at school, poll shows

Campaigners call for urgent guidance and regulation for schools in managing pupils’ behaviour

20/02 ‘We felt like failures. It broke us’: When your child stops attending school out of fear

Kerry Grantham’s son was happy in school until he became gripped with anxiety at second level. Trying to find alternatives has been a journey of pain, failure and isolation

20/02 My son is studying a subject outside school for the Leaving Cert. How can he submit his coursework?

More and more subjects nowadays have practical or second components of assessment

13/02 ‘We’re disadvantaged’: Maths exams do not add up for dyslexic students

A transition year student’s award-winning investigation has shone a light on readability issues for many sitting Junior Cycle maths papers

12/02 My daughter suffers from exam anxiety. How will she cope during the Leaving Cert?

Simple process of familiarising yourself with exam papers and setting during mocks can help ease sense of panic

11/02 Vulnerable pupils risk ‘losing out’ under changes to allocation of teaching hours for schools

New special education teacher model removes ‘complex needs’ as criteria for allocating resources

11/02 UK can learn from Ireland when it comes to secondary school

Students across the water spend the last four years on a relentless exam treadmill, culminating usually in just three A Level subjects

09/02 More than 80 pupils without school places accessing home tutors

Mother says impact on daughter (13) of being outside school has been ‘devastating’

07/02 Oversubscribed schools may get temporary classrooms to ease enrolment ‘crisis’

Campaigners say shortages are result of poor planning and delays in providing school buildings

06/02 ‘We’ve been failed by the Government’: Families left without school places

Some children in receipt of home tutoring due to enrolment pressures in places such as Kildare, north Wicklow, Dublin and Cork

06/02 Secondary school places unavailable for some first-years amid enrolment crisis

Some pupils have been forced to stay at home and avail of home tutoring due to shortage of places

03/02 ‘The savings are huge’: Surge in parents taking children out of school for holidays - but not everyone is happy

Some principals say a dramatic increase in absences due to holidays is disrupting school life

30/01 The Secret Teacher: ‘Many in our profession wonder how they ever managed without AI’

We should safeguard the classroom so it remains a haven of genuine human contact

30/01 Schools must record all bullying incidents under new guidelines

Measures aimed at tackling cyberbullying, racism, gender identity bullying and sexual harassment

25/01 ‘This is about fairness’: Call for dyslexic students to be given extra time in Leaving Cert exam

Lauren Lynch ‘ended up in a class for students who teachers didn’t want to teach’ and says too many pupils labelled ‘stupid’ for disability

25/01 Young carers more likely to get poorer Leaving Cert grades, study finds

ESRI study estimates a quarter of 17-years-olds provide regular care to family members

24/01 ‘Timing is crucial’: How to make the most of the Leaving Cert and Junior Cycle mock exams

Active study, marking schemes and past papers are key to realising your potential in the Junior Cycle and Leaving Cert