Teacher's Pet

An insider's guide to education.

Last week's interview with Minister for Edcuation Mary Hanafin created quite a storm, not least at the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). The group is ready to roll out ambitious new plans for the Leaving Cert. But the Minister has drawn the wind from their sails by expressing unease about some plans.

Hanafin is being criticised in some quarters for her conservative agenda. But it all makes sound political sense as the clock beats down to the next election. Fundamental changes to the Leaving Cert would bring the Minister into conflict with the ASTI about payment for continuous assessment. And it would cost a fortune - up to €50 million.

And would the public thank you for it all? Hardly. Hanafin is tapping into the mood among ordinary folk that our education system is actually very good. It is a view that will shape her thinking on this and a range of other issues over the next year.

Are we about to see the demise of the week-long teacher conferences after Easter?

The INTO conference this year has been cut back to three days. And there is even talk of moving the conference to the week before Easter.

Understandably, many teachers have grown tired of spending the week after Easter in an airless, conference room - when they could be on the beach in Tenerife. Expect pressure to build for pre-Easter conferences next year.

Wanted: general secretary for the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) to replace Charlie Lennon. Must have the patience of Job and the wisdom of Solomon.

OK, that was not the precise wording, but the Big Job - paying €100,000 plus expenses - did feature on the Irish Times appointments page last Friday.

The acting general secretary, John White, is odds-on favourite after successfully rebuilding the organisation in conjunction with ASTI president Susie Hall. White has many friends and few enemies in the ASTI, quite an achievement in itself.

Yes it is true. Some parents have still to receive the results of Christmas tests, taken by their children in December.

Sorry to be po-faced but there is really no excuse for this kind of delay.

Got any education gossip? E-mail us, in confidence, at teacherspet@irish-times.ie