March 2011

INTO in the Media

CBS success in EBS/INTO schools handwriting competition - The Avondhu
31st March 2011
In front of a packed ballroom, INTO president Jim Higgins and EBS Cork city manager, Mark Mansfield both spoke of the importance of good handwriting standards in an age where we are so dependent on technology...

Live 95FM - Limerick Today
31st March 2011
Forum on patronage and pluralism. New forum on patronage and pluralism to address role of Catholic Church in Irelands education system. Niall Murray (Education Correspondent, Irish Examiner), Philip Mudge (NPC Primary) and Seamus Long (INTO) discuss.

Learning the real value of our small rural schools - Sligo Champion
30th March 2011
With primary schools, big is not always best...That's according to Battlefield, Culfadda native Jim Higgins, president of the INTO, who pointed out that many studies across the world confirmed that small schools either led to improved pupil outcomes or concluded that pupils attending small schools achieved similar outcomes to pupils attending large schools...

Evidence says small has its advantages - Sligo Champion
30th March 2011
White it may be indisputable that curriculum implementation in smaller schools and therefore in mixed classes requires considerable additional work from teachers in terms of planning, classroom management and resource management, there is no evidence that educational outcomes are com-promised by small school size. That's according to INTO President Jim Higgins who pointed out that evidence in relation to education outcomes in Irish schools could be found from a number of sources...

School patronage - Irish Times
30th March 2011
The decision by Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn to establish a Forum on Patronage and Pluralism is welcome. The need for some kind of forum to tease out these issues has been a long standing demand of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) but former education ministers, Batt O'Keeffe and Mary Coughlan, appeared reluctant to establish it....

Forum to report on school patronage reform in October - Irish Times
29th March 2011
The new Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in primary schools is expected to report by October, Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn said yesterday.....The INTO - which has campaigned for the forum - welcomed the Minister's move. General secretary Sheila Nunan said the Minister's two predecessors - Batt O'Keeffe and Mary Coughlan - had refused to hold a consultation process on the issue....

Temporary teachers face axe in new redeployment - New Ross Echo
29th March 2011
....The INTO has warned that existing temporary teachers will face an anxious wait over the summer to see whether they will have employment in their current school. The rules are designed to ensure teachers will be reassigned to an alternative post in an efficient manner. The INTO estimates that over 800 permanent vacancies will be available for permanent teachers under the new redeployment regime. Redeployment panels are used to reassign teachers whose job is no longer warranted in a school to another school within a 45km radius where there is a post vacant...

Newstalk - Coleman at Large
29th March 2011
Public sector reform
Panel discuss the new government's proposals relating to public sector reform - Mark Fielding (ISME), Seamus Dooley (NUJ), John McGurk (Political commentator) and Noel Ward (INTO)

Schools under Church control to be halved in Quinn plan - Irish Daily Mail
29th March 2011
The Catholic Church could lose control of nearly half its primary schools under radical plans proposed by the Minister for Education.....Sheila Nunan, General Secretary of INTO said 'it now seems everyone that matters is willing to sit down and shape a new future for primary schools in Ireland'....

KFM - Kildare Today
29th March 2011
Patronage. Education Minister Ruairai Quinns review of patronage and management of Irish primary schools. Sheila Nunan (General Secretary, INTO) discusses.

4FM - One News
28th March 2011
Schools Patronage
Half of National Schools should be divested from Catholic patronage - INTO has welcomed the news - Interview: Minister Quinn - mention of Educate Together as alternative

Today FM - National Lunchtime News
28th March 2011
School Patronage
A review of the patronage of primary schools will take place over the coming months with changes set to take place next year. Fergal O' Brien reports. Interview: Ruairi Quinn (Minister for Education), Sheila Nunan (INTO)

Threat to future of rural schools - Offaly Independent
26th March 2011
Seven Offaly Schools under microscope...Two of the schools included in the department's list are in the Kilcormac area - St Cormac's NS and StChiarain's of Broughall. The INTO branch secretary for the Birr region, Liam Broderick, said: "It's a very large concern for rural schools. In many rural areas, there's a school, a church, a GAA field and a shop. If s the focus of the 'community, if you take away the school you take away the identity of the community...

Westmeath's ten smallest schools worried for future - Westmeath Examiner
26th March 2011
Schools with two teachers or less may be merged. There are fears for the future of at least ten primary schools in Westmeath this week, after the Government announced plans to review the viability of hundreds of two-teacher schools across the country.....INTO-affiliated school teachers from Westmeath are to meet in the Mullingar Park Hotel this Thursday, March 22, where the issue of school amalgamation is on the agenda....

Clare winners in writing contest - Clare Champion
25th March 2011
EBS Ennis, in conjunction with the INTO this week celebrated with the Clare winners of this year's National Handwriting Competition. This is the 19th year of the competition, which has grown in size and scale over almost two decades....

School transport charges criticised - Clare Champion
25th March 2011
Changes to the school transport scheme criteria and the introduction of new charges means "an imposition on parents who are already overburdened". "Schools have just been notified of the introduction of charges for school transport from the commencement of the 2011/2012 school year, which is next September....Pupils with a valid medical card will be exempt from these charges," explained Joe Killeen, INTO district representative for Galway and Roscommon...

Kelleher gets Galway teacher support in his bid for Seanad seat - Connacht Tribune
25th March 2011
Primary teachers in County Galway have come out in support of former President of the INTO Declan Kelleher from County Clare. The primary school principal from Corofin, County Clare is hoping to take the seat vacated by former General Secretary of the INTO Joe OToole. Now he has the support of hundreds of primary school teachers Galway who are actively trying to persuade graduates of the National University of Ireland to vote for him...

Redundancy spurs Tom to turn his hobby into livelihood - Connacht Tribune
25th March 2011
Tom visits schools throughout the county, working as a Heritage Specialist in a scheme run by the Irish Heritage Council in conjunction with the Irish National Teachers' Organisation. The aim of the Heritage Specialist Scheme is to give children in primary school a greater knowledge of their heritage - both natural and historic...

Scheme teaches children about everything from bats to whales - Connacht Tribune
25th March 2011
The Heritage in Schools Scheme offers a panel of heritage specialists who will, at the request of a teacher, visit a primary school to work directly with the children. The scheme, sponsored by the Heritage Council and administered by the INTO, began in 1999 as a pilot project and is now established nationwide...

Small schools under threat of closure - Tirconaill Tribune
24th March 2011
The future of small rural schools is up for discussion and there is no doubt that many will face closure when a review is completed....Sheila Nunan, who was the incoming general secretary of the primary teachers' union INTO, said it was clear from what the minister said that rural school closures had not dropped off the Government's agenda. "Small rural schools will be closing sooner rather than later if the Government gets its way. If the recommendations on the amalgamation or closure of schools are accepted then many schools will close and parents will be forced to pay more for school transport," said Ms Nunan. One fifth of all Primary schools in Ireland - or just under 600 - cater for fewer than 50 pupils. They are all two and even one-teacher schools and most are in rural areas. The McCarthy report recommended amalgamating all of these schools with others to save an estimated EUR18m. It also recommended the amalgamation of schools with one hundred or fewer pupils. The INTO is unhappy with the existence of one-teacher schools, but it is urging moderation and caution...

We'll fight tooth and nail - Kerry's Eye
24th March 2011
Primary schools in Kerrry with less than fifty pupils could face closure or amalgamation with larger schools if government proposals on the future of small schools go ahead. by Owen O'Shea Principals, teachers and parents in small rural schools said this week they will fight tooth and nail to prevent any of the proposed closures or amalgamations, claiming they would tear the heart out of Kerry communities. Over 30 small rural schools in Kerry are currently subject to a nationwide government 'value for money' audit.....INTO Kerry representative, Seamus Long, said that the review was "a very blunt instrument" in dealing with smaller schools...

Tipperary Primary Teachers Back Kelleher for Seanad - Tipperary Star
24th March 2011
The INTO has backed its former president Declan Kelleher to win a seat in the next Seanad. Mr Kelleher, a native of Corofin, Co Clare and a primary school principal is hoping to take the seat vacated by ex-general secretary of the INTO Joe O Toole who has been a senator since 1987. Primary teachers in County Tipperary are supporting his campaign and trying to persuade graduates of the National University of Ireland to vote for him. Miriam Fahy a teacher in St. Mary's Convent Primary School, Nenagh said this week that people are needed in Leinster House who will do more than talk about fixing the economy...

Highland Radio - Shaun Doherty
21st March 2011
Review of small primary schools. Jim Higgins (President, Irish National Teachers Organisation) discusses a Department of Education review to determine if small primary schools of less than fifty students represent value for money.

Small schools the bedrock of our communities - claim - Donegal On Sunday
20th March 2011
The closure of small schools could sound the death knell for small communities and rob them of their very essence according to an educational activist in Donegal.....The McCarthy Report recommended amalgamating all of these schools with other schools to save an estimated 18 million however the INTO disputes this. INTO Vice-president Jim Higgins says the move would hit rural areas hardest "There are 659 schools of less than fifty pupils in the country and 851 schools of 50 to a hundred pupils. The complete saving in relation to these two groups is 27 million euro and I don't believe that these savings will be achieved. You. have solid permanent school buildings, what are you going to do when you bring pupils into urban areas, build prefabs and have 'prefab cities' all over the place? Are you going to have children as young as four and five getting up at 7am to travel to school and coming home at 5 o'clock? It is not on. Educational achievement is equal if not superior in smaller schools," he said....

Emigration looms for young teachers - Southern Star
19th March 2011
Little known part of the four-year plan agreed in the context of the EU-IMF bail-outs deal has surfaced in recent days, which has huge implications for young primary school teachers graduating from training colleges this year and which will rule most of them out of contention to even apply for jobs. A limit has been put on teacher numbers for the next school year, with a cut of 700 posts. Rather than making permanent teachers redundant, they will be put on redeployment panels, giving them first priority for vacancies that arise through teachers retiring, etc. The INTO expects that the number of such vacancies will equate with the number of permanent teachers being put on the redeployment panels...

Handwriting still as vital as ever in our computer age - Limerick Leader
19th March 2011
While we are in a computer age, the skill of handwriting, is still as important as ever as shown by the fact that up to 8,000 school children from 60 national schools in Limerick took part in EBS/INTO National Handwriting Competition. "Computers are brilliant for communication but handwriting is an important skill as ever, especially when children are doing their exams," explained Joe Lyons, Press Officer, Limerick branch of the Irish National Teachers Organisation. Supported by the EBS the INTO ran their campaign to highlight the art of handwriting. The competition, now in its 19th year, is open to all primary schools throughout the country and its focus is to keep the art of handwriting alive in the schools across the country....."The INTO /EBSHandwriting awards are a valued part of the school calendar", said Seamus Long of the INTO executive Committee who is Principal of St. John the Baptist National School in Limerick.

INTO honours former local rep - Meath Chronicle
19th March 2011
Members of the Athboy/Trim branch of the INTO held a presentation evening in honour of former CEC representative, Helen O'Gorman, in the Old Darnley Hotel, Athboy, last Friday evening. Helen had spent 11 years as Central Executive Committee representative for District 7, which includes the three local INTO branches in Meath. This is the largest district in the Republic of Ireland and includes more than 3,500 primary school teachers and INTO members.

Barrscealta
18th March 2011
Agallamh le Antóin de Blárach a bhí ar fhoireann Dhún na nGall a bhuadh craobh na Éireann inné in aghaidh Corcaigh i gcomórtas peil na ngairmscoileanna … Piaras Ó Dochartaigh TD ag séanadh go bhfuil sé ag iarradh ar dhaoine gan páirt a ghlacadh sa daonáireamh náisiúnta ……Colm O Dúlacháin ag tuairisciú ar líon na scoileanna ina bhfuil níos lú ná 50 páiste iontu & Deirdre O Connor ó Chumann Múinteoirí Éireann & Bernie Ni Dhuibhir ó Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta ag moladh do dhaoine aighneachtaí a dhéanamh chuig an Roinn Oideachais & Scileanna inniu ag cur i gcoinne na scoileanna seo a dhúnadh nó a chomhnascadh ….

RTE One - Six One News
18th March 2011
Small Schools Closure
Feature on Ireland's smallest school Mantua National School and the Govt's review of the viability of such schools in wake of McCarthy Report. -Reporter: Emma O'Kelly says the INTO is urging caution -Interview: Martina Williams (INTO)

RTE One - One News
18th March 2011
Small Primaries likely to close. Dept of Education is to receive representations from groups concerned with fate of small Primary Schools -Reporter: Emma O'Kelly says schools with less than 50 pupils are likely to be shut down in wake of McCarthy cutbacks report - Interview: Martina Williams (INTO Small Schools Support Group)

RTE Radio 1 - News at One
18th March 2011
Future of small primary schools
The Department of Education will receive final representations today from interest groups concerned about the future of small primary schools. Emma O' Kelly reports from the joint-smallest school in Ireland, in County Roscommon. Interview: Feina Byrne (Teacher), Martin Williams (Small Schools' Support Group, INTO). [1:38pm]

Unease growing over education cuts as first post losses in Tuam announced - Tuam Herald
17th March 2011
Schools and parents in the North Galway area are considering what action to take to fight pending cutbacks in educational services which may result from on-going reviews of the system. Just this week news that support teaching positions are to go in Tuam has set alarm bells ringing and there are concerns that smaller rural schools could be next in the firing line.  Galway East Deputy Colm Keaveney has stated that he is negotiating with the relevant Minister to try and secure a "stay of execution" for the Tuam posts to allow time to work out an alternative solution.....The INTO held a meeting on the efficiency and effectiveness review process on Monday night to discuss how to deal with any recommendations which could impact on primary schools. The review focuses on schools with 50 pupils or less and there are a number of such primary school is the Tuam area. A spokesperson for the INTO told The Herald that they were preparing a statement on the matter and would issue it once they had fully considered the outcome of Monday's meeting in Tuam and their future plans....

Louth students commended for their penmanship - Mid-Louth Independent
16th March 2011
The Awards Ceremony for the Regional Final of the INTO Handwriting Competition was held recently at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dundalk, and there were quite a few winners from Drogheda schools. Aoibheann Duffy, Regional Co-ordinator of the competition, welcomed a large crowd to the proceedings. 'Congratulations to all the the first prize winners, who will wait in anticipation as their entries go forward to the National Final,' said Ms Duffy. 'We wish them success and continued enthusiasm in their handwriting endeavours.'....

Kerry Today - Radio Kerry
16th March 2011
Peter Mullan (Press officer, INTO) and Niamh O' Connor (Temporary Teacher) discuss how some teachers will now be impacted by new rules which will see all teaching vacant positions be filled by permanent teachers being redeployed from other schools, at the expense of temporary teachers who may already be doing the job.

Job losses warning if class sizes are increased in Gaelscoileanna - Irish Times
15th March 2011
More than 30 jobs could be lost in Irish language schools after the Department of Education moved to increase their pupilteacher ratio, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation warned last night, writes Sean Flynn. In all, 29 Gaelscoileanna will see an increase in class size and a threat to teaching posts. Two positions will be lost in four schools. Gaelscoileanna Teo, the umbrella group for Irish language schools, will launch a campaign today against the decision. At present, the number of pupils in classes in Irish-medium schools is slightly lower than in English-medium schools. INTO general secretary Sheila Nunan said the move would significantly increase the number of pupils in classes in many of the schools.

Cork Today - C103
14th March 2011
Peter Mullan (Irish National Teachers’ Organisation) discusses the INTO’s concerns over the possible effects of new rules on redeployment of temporary teachers.

13th March 2011
Follow link to view supplement pages

School tours may be cut to make up for 'snow days' - Meath Chronicle
12th March 2011
Schools throughout Meath may have to curtail the number of schools tours they run this year as they try to make up for the days lost in the cold weather in January. Primary schools must operate for 183 days in the year, and secondary schools for 167. According to the Department of Education, the schools must make "reasonable efforts" to make up lost time....Colin Quigley, chairperson of the Athboy-Trim branch of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO), and his union's media co-ordinator for Meath, said the issue of lost days because of the snow had probably been discussed in every one of the 109 primary schools in the county. An average of four to five days had been lost. "I know that many schools discussed the impact that the bad weather earlier this year would have on school days," he said, adding that he was aware some schools were already cutting back on school tours. The board of management of one large primary school in Trim had decided to keep back a number of days to the end of the school term in case heavy snowfalls meant that the school would have to close. Peter Mullan, the INTO's media officer, said that, in some cases, schools had cut back completely on school tours so that the lost days could be made up. "However, any schools which were on main roads probably stayed open during the snow so there will be nothing to be made up there. The vast majority of schools would have lost three to four days because of the snow," he said. Any cutbacks in tours would, on one hand, save parents money, but, on the other hand, children would miss out on a valuable experience. Mr Mullan said there was also the factor that many coach company operators had invested heavily in their fleets over recent years and they would lose out as school trips were cut.

Minister announces forum on school patronage - Irish Times
12th March 2011
A new forum on school patronage, due to report before the end of this year, will examine ways in which the role of the Catholic Church can be scaled back...The establishment of such a forum was a long-standing demand of the Irish Nationa Teachers’ Organisation (INTO). The programme provides for the inclusion of the forum’s recommendations in a White Paper for implementation by the Government in 2012. Last night, the INTO welcomed the establishment of the forum. “Ireland’s schools must reflect the country’s new, diverse population,” said Sheila Nunan, general secretary of the union...

Church's grip on schools to be relaxed by new minister - Irish Daily Mail
12th March 2011
A push towards transferring schools out of the hands of the Catholic Church is officially underway after a new forum was established by Education Minister Ruairí Quinn yesterday. The group has been ordered to identify how Catholic patronage can be removed as a matter of 'immediate priority'....Welcoming the minister's initiative, INTO General Secretary Sheila Nunan said enrolments had become increasing diverse but the previous govenment had refused to reform the system to reflect that diversity.

Aughrim principal wins bursary to research stress in classroom - Connacht Tribune
11th March 2011
The Principal of Scoil Chaitriona Naofa in Aughrim has been awarded a bursary to help him towards his Masters research at how prevalent stress is among primary school principals. Gareth Heagney, a teaching principal, was announced as a winner of a bursary from the Irish National Teachers' Organisation to help fund education research. Mr. Heagney is studying at Trinity College, Dublin. His study, entitled the Prevalence and Causes of Occupational Stress among Primary School Principals in Ireland, will identify the main causes of stress in school and identify reforms needed to reduce the levels of work-related stress. Every year since 1993, primary teachers undertaking research have been supported by the INTO through the Bursary Scheme. This year, five awards of EUR1,500 were made. A record fifty applications were submitted in December. An awards ceremony was held in the Teachers' Club, Parnell Square, Dublin earlier this month.

Kelleher's campaign gets a boost - Clare Champion
11th March 2011
Former INTO President Declan Kelleher, who is attempting to retain the seat of outgoing Senator Joe O'Toole on the NUI Panel, received a welcome boost to his campaign this week when former Conradh na Gaeilge President Daithi Mac Carthaigh agreed to support his campaign and act as assentor for his candidacy. Mr Mac Carthaigh twice contested the position on the NUI panel himself and last time out, he polled over, 1,200 first-preference votes. Mr Kelleher's campaign is receiving considerable support right along the western seaboard from Donegal to Cork. Support is particularly strong amongst graduates in Gaeltacht areas and right across all sectors of education. Last weekend, Mr Kelleher was the guest of the Colmcille Winter School in Gartan, Letterkenny where he made a presentation on the past, present and future of primary education.

Old Govt's plan cuts 1.2k temp teachers - The Irish Sun
10th March 2011
Hundreds of trainee and temporary teachers will lose their jobs after the outgoing government told primary schools that posts must be filled by permanent teachers.....Teachers' union the INTO have condemned the move and are set to meet to discuss it later this month.

Students have the best handwriting around - Argus
9th March 2011
The winner Rebecca Fox (front, centre), St. Mary's NS, Knockbridge with Faye Tinsley second and third place Katie McGeough, both St. Oliver's NS, Blackrock, receiving their certificates in the INTO handwriting competition from Paul Breagy, EBS sponsors, Rosena Jordan, CEC representative INTO and Aoibheann Duffy, INTO regional co-ordinator handwriting.

Midweek - TV3
9th March 2011
Ciara Doherty reports on sub-standard conditions in the country's primary schools. Studio discussion with Sheila Nunan (INTO), reporter Ciara Doherty and Sean O'Donaile (School principal). Some mention of Educate Together. [20 min]

Tipp Today - Tipp FM
9th March 2011
Hundreds of temporary national school teachers face uncertainty as new rules on redeployment come into force. Peter Mullan (Irish National Teachers’ Organisation) discusses.

Hundreds of teachers face losing posts under new rules - Irish Times
9th March 2011
Hundreds OF temporary teachers face uncertainty as new rules on redeployment come into force...

School's out for graduate teachers facing dole queue - Irish Daily Mail
9th March 2011
One thousand five hundred teachers will graduate this year only to face the dole or emigration thanks to new rules that favour their older colleagues.....This means the number on he panels will rise to more than 1,100 teachers, according to the INTO. 'That will affect newly qualified graduates because these teachers will be put on the panel and given first refusal' said an INTO spokesman. 'This will put a squeeze on employment prospects for priamry teaching graduates coming out of college in the summer'. 'We have had redeployment panels since 1937, but this year the sheer number of people who will go on the panels is higher than ever, the INTO spokesman said. Hundreds of temporary teachers also face an anxious wait this summer to see if they can be rehired, because teachers on panels will be prioritised for those jobs as well. 'Jobs which in the past may have been rolled over to existing temporary teachers may now have to be offered to someone on the panel.'

Retirement Dinner for teachers in the Talbot Hotel - Wexford People
9th March 2011
A group of Wexford teachers who have left the blackboard and chalk behind after long years of service in local primary schools, were guests of honour at a retirement dinner in the Talbot Hotel last weekend. The celebration was hosted last Friday night by the Irish National Teachers Organisation. Over 90 people turned up for the function including family, friends and colleagues of the retired teachers who were presented with flowers, an INTO pin and a gift cheque. A member of staff from each of the schools made a speech paying tribute to the teachers and tributes were also paid by the national president of the INTO Jim Higgins who was in attendance.

Congratulations - Mayo News
8th March 2011
Congratulations to Fiona King, Learning Support Teacher in Fahy NS, who recently won a bursary from the Irish National Teachers' Organisation to help fund further education research in Learning Support which she is undertaking. The teachers, staff, pupils and parents wish you the best of luck with these studies Fiona.

Principal failed to keep school register for 10 years - Western People
8th March 2011
The Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) has defended a Westport school principal who failed to keep a register for 10 years.....A spokesperson for the INTO defended Ms McGuire and said school principals were being asked to collect personal information "that is not necessary and keep it for far longer than needed".

Retired teachers honoured - Gorey Echo
8th March 2011
Ten local teachers who retired recently were honoured by the Irish National Teacher's Organisation (INTO), at the Talbot Hotel on Friday night. INTO President Jim Higgins gave a speech praising the contribution of each teacher to their schools, as did representatives from the respective schools. The teachers were given presentations of gifts, following a meal. They all enjoyed music afterwards and had a great night with colleagues and friends.

Five schools to open by 2013 - Irish Times
8th March 2011
Five new primary schools are to be established over the next two years under the patronage of the multi-denominational group Educate Together and the gaelscoil umbrella body, An Foras Patrunachta. All five are in areas of rapid population growth in the Dublin commuter belt......The new programme for government promises a forum on patronage and pluralism in the primary sector which will sit for one year. This has been a long-term demand of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation.

Nine O'Clock News - RTE One
8th March 2011
Hundreds of young teachers fear they will lose their jobs as a result of new Dept of Education instructions on the filling of teaching posts. Emma O Kelly reports. Interview with Dermot Walsh (Teacher), Jim Halligan (Principal) and Sheila Nunan (INTO).

Six One News - RTE One
8th March 2011
Hundreds of young teachers fear they will lose their jobs as a result of new Dept of Education instructions on the filling of teaching posts. Emma O Kelly reports. Interview with Dermot Walsh (Teacher), Jim Halligan (Principal) and Sheila Nunan (INTO).

Goresbridge teacher wins INTO bursary - Kilkenny People
4th March 2011
Gerard Farrelly, a Principal teacher in Goresbridge NS, was announced as a winner of a bursary from the Irish National Teachers' Organisation to help fund education research. Mr Farrelly, is studying at St. Patrick's College of Education, Drumcondra, Dublin and working towards a Doctorate. His research project is entitled 'What evidence is there to suggest that homophobic bullying is a problem in Irish primary schools, and if so, what is the role of principals in addressing the problem?'

Government can afford to pay proper pensions - Galway Advertiser
3rd March 2011
The Irish National Teachers' Organisation said government can afford to pay the cost of teachers' pensions. The union criticised what it called plans by government to walk away from any responsibility for pensions. The claims came at a meeting for primary and post primary teachers held in NUI Galway yesterday (Wednesday) attended by several hundred teachers.
The meeting was called by the teacher unions to show their opposition to changes in pensions which will if brought in, mean a poorer pension for new teachers or for any teacher who has been out of work for more than six months.
Joe Killeen, INTO executive representative for Galway and Roscommon said the belief that the state has to make a huge contribution to the pensions of its workers is a myth. "At present, with the pension levy, a new teacher joining the current scheme at age 21 needs only a 3.4% (of salary) contribution from the state as employer to help fund pension costs". He said this was far less than the private sector average.

Teachers seek action on school patronage - Irish Times
3rd March 2011
Teachers have called on the new government to address the issue of school patronage in its first year in office. The INTO says the new government should establish an open forum that would allow all interested parties address the issue in an open and transparent way. "This could be set up now, begin its work in September and be finished by the end of the year," said Sheila Nunan, general secretary of the union. It accused the last three Fianna Fail education ministers of failing to deal with the issue. Ms Nunan said that for years teachers had been objecting to being in sole charge of religious education. "Pupil enrolments have become increasingly diverse over the last decade ... It now seems everyone that matters is willing to sit down and shape a new future for primary schooling in Ireland."

Martin says FF senators must look to Dail seats - Irish Times
3rd March 2011
...Meanwhile, teachers are seeking to retain influence in the Seanad following the retirement of former INTO (Irish National Teachers Organisation) general secretary Joe O'Toole, with the nomination of former union president Declan Kelleher.

Breakfast Show - Newstalk 
3rd March 2011
Teacher Noreen Flynn discusses some of the abuse faced by teachers at disadvantaged schools, and the specialist help required. She has details of a new trial called 'Positive Classrooms, Positive Children'.

Fahy teacher wins INTO bursary - Connaught Telegraph
1st March 2011
Fiona King, learning support teacher in Fahy National School, Westport, has won a bursary from the Irish National Teachers' Organisation to help fund education research. Ms. King is studying at the University of Lincoln, UK, towards a Doctorate on developing and sustaining teachers', professional learning: a case study of collaborative professional development. This study aims to analyse how teachers' professional development in literacy impacts on their teaching and learning in the short term and more importantly in the longer term. The study will focus on teachers working together to develop better practices in reading (peer tutoring).

Mayo Teacher Wins INTO Bursary - Mayo News
1st March 2011
Fiona King, Learning Support Teacher in Fahy NS, Westport, recently won a bursary from the Irish National Teachers' Organisation to help fund education research.

Inspectors criticised for report - Irish Independent
1st March 2011
Department of Education inspectors were criticised yesterdays after rapping a school principal over the knuckles for not keeping a school register for ten years.
Last night the INTO said the inspectors were being too pernickety. It described the rules on school registers and roll books as antiquated and probably illegal under modern data protection legislation.  “Schools are made to collect personal information that is not necessary and keep it for far longer than needed,” said a spokesperson.
According to the union, schools are also expected to record the same information in different places. Technology has overtaken the need to have paper records many of which contain the same information. It’s time all this bureaucratic nonsense was scrapped.”
The union also said the rules were not joined up. “The school register doesn’t take account of the revised curriculum. The National Education Welfare Board looks for different information to what a school has to keep in the roll book,” it said