Teacher's Pet

An insider's guide to education:Mary Hanafin is unfazed by the row over her decision to boost the sales of Diarmaid Ferriter's biography of Eamon de Valera, Judging Dev.

But is everyone in the department happy about her decision to dispatch two copies to every second-level school in the State: that's 2,000 copies in all?

History teachers have even been told that further copies are available on request. Lesson plans, based on the book , have also been sent to schools.

The total cost of all this? Some €35,900 and that's allowing a special 50 per cent on the retail price of the book.

Some sceptical souls such as Fine Gael's Brian Hayes see this as part of some sinister masterplan by the Minister to spread the good news about one of her political heroes. But the department (officially at least)won't accept this kind of small mindedness.

Here's the official line from Marlborough Street: "The department's history inspector has viewed the resource and considers the material is very useful, relevant, and in line with the requirements of the syllabus and methodology required."

Thank goodness for that. We look forward to the department being similarly generous when it comes to other biographies.

What's in a name? Quite a lot, it seems, for Mary Immaculate College in Limerick. "Mary I" - as it widely known - is canvassing staff about a new name.

Anyone for the University College of Mary Immaculate Limerick (UCLMIL)? Or even Mary Immaculate University College Limerick (MIUCL)?

Needless to say, Mary I does not want university status; it just wants to underline its close links with UL.

Only one problem. Any use of the U-word - university - in any new name requires approval from the Minister.

It all present a dilemma for Mary I boss Peadar Cremin. A decision is expected from the governing body before Christmas.

Our advice? Hold off on that new UCLMIL hoodie - for now.

With the CAO application process, the various third-level colleges are stepping up their marketing drive as they scramble for students.

Most impressive campaign so far? Take a bow NUI Maynooth whose Freedom to Shine campaign is making such an an impact.

Credit also to Martin Conry, the hard-working secretary of DCU, who promoted the university so energetically on Spin FM last weekend.