Smartphones to be banned from all Irish secondary schools
“We’re very conscious of the world in which we live.” Minister for Education Norma Foley has pledged that smartphones are to be banned from all Irish secondary schools. Minister Foley is set to write to schools in the coming weeks regarding the new directive, which is backed up by evidence phones ‘disrupt’ learning and contribute […]
2 years ago
Sex education will be made mandatory for fifth and sixth year pupils
Sex education will be mandatory for fifth and sixth-year pupils under the new SPHE curriculum. The updated sex education syllabus will include classes about consent, and the influence pornography has on behaviours. Pupils will also learn about how to notice the signs of abusive relationships. The new curriculum will be mandatory for all pupils. The […]
3 years ago
Government hoping to extend free schoolbook scheme to secondary pupils
Foley confirmed that 500,000 children will be given free school books next year. Earlier this week, the Government announced that primary school children will be given their books for free in 2023. The move has been welcomed by parents across the country, but many with children in secondary school feel forgotten about. However, Minister for […]
4 years ago
Irish parents already feeling the pressure over back-to-school costs
“More people need to be helped” The summer holidays may have only started, but Irish parents are already worrying about September. It is believed the pressure of back-to-school costs is already weighing down on parents in Ireland. The rising cost of living is enough to stress any parent out but add school costs into the […]
4 years ago
World’s best school system has gotten rid of grading, should we do the same?
The best school system in the world has gotten rid of grades so should Ireland do the same? Singapore which was ranked first in the international PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) tests have gotten rid of standardised testing in their schools. Many in Ireland have argued over the years that tests, particularly the Junior and […]
4 years ago
‘Exclusionary’ and ‘elitist’ – time to end allocations of school places for family connections
It’s 2022 – should school places now not solely be dedicated by catchment areas? You know – as opposed to religion, final situation, and, indeed, family connections. In this regard, Ireland – to me as a Scandinavian – seems really old-fashioned and stuck in the past. Currently, some schools across the country are still allocating […]
4 years ago