If you were to walk into any primary school and compared it to the classroom you might have sat in only a generation ago, apart from a big screen instead of a blackboard, the biggest difference you would see is the diversity of students in that room. One in four children in primary school have … Read more
In this episode, I focus on the significant challenges within special education. I cover recently published inspectorate findings, testimonies from school principals, and a detailed report by a group of parents on the deteriorating state of special education. I discuss the lack of adequate resources, bureaucratic hurdles, and the ineffectiveness of new initiatives, emphasizing the … Read more
In this episode, I examine the complex topic of teaching children about war, specifically focusing on the Israel-Gaza conflict. Drawing from my personal background and experiences, I explore the intricacies of discussing such sensitive subjects in the classroom. After that, something completely different as I preview my interview with Paudie Moore, The Teacher’s Coach, on … Read more
In this episode, I examine the perennial picture of a family who don’t have a school place for their child and why it’s getting tiresome. Why are the NCSE so inept at their job? Niall Muldoon somehow fails to identify the source of the problem. What does opening 3 multidenominational schools mean for actual choice? The reality is that … Read more
As Meja sang (I had to google her!), this episode is all about the money and it’s all about the dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb decisions recently made by the Department of Education. I look at the School Book Grant, the Ancillary Grant, and look forward to the summer programme, all of which have had their funds cut. I also … Read more
This week we talk about the divestment of the first Catholic school to Educate Together, followed by the findings of the Grace report, indicating a discrepancy between the religious beliefs of teachers and their roles in Catholic schools. While one commentator blames the teachers, another blames the whole Catholic community. Next, I discuss the Polish … Read more
The following are the show notes from the latest episode of If I were the Minister for Education. The INTO Congress took place during the spring break and it’s always interesting to see the stories that the media find worthy of covering. Before it began, the media seemed to think teacher shortages caused by the … Read more
In this episode, I reflect on the implications of Josepha Madigan’s departure as the Minister for Special Education and whether the position will ever exist again. I also ponder on the INTO’s survey on physical aggression. Finally, we move to Estonia and explore why they are now kings and queens of Europe and why Ireland … Read more
In this episode, I wonder about the quantum of SET agendas and why the IPPN has decided to go against its members. I discuss why the media have reduced a completely changed curriculum down to sex. Finally I deny that I’ve been looking through your bins. Links to articles discussed can be found here:
In this episode I explore the further collapse of special education in our system. I look at all the services that have fallen asunder including NEPS, which made the news last week after a NEPS psychologist contacted a journalist. I verified what he/she said was true. I’ve been complaining about education for years and, by … Read more