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Fri, Jan 21, 2022
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An advisory group on planning for the State exams is due to meet again in the coming days amid calls from students’ representatives for a hybrid Leaving Cert. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill Further talks planned by exams group as calls continue for hybrid Leaving Cert

Majority of parents and students support hybrid model, surveys indicate

More than half of students surveyed report using an illicit drug More than half of students surveyed felt drug use is a normal part of student life. Photograph: iStock

The most commonly used drugs are cannabis cocaine and ecstasy

A principal’s diary: ‘Things are going pretty well. We’re turning the corner’ Bryan Collins, principal ofScoil Náisiúnta Naomh Feichín, Termonfeckin, Co Louth, greets pupils arriving to school. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

How one school leader has coped with the challenges of Covid-hit school reopening

‘Challenges’ to delivering hybrid Leaving Cert this year, says Taoiseach Taoiseach Micheál Martin: ‘I accept the need for clarity as quickly as possible.’ Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Ombudsman for Children ‘fully supportive’ of student calls for changes to 2022 exams

Q&A: Is it possible to deliver a hybrid Leaving Cert this year? Planning is being advanced for the State exams in June. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Concern over impact of grade inflation if teacher-assessed marks are awarded again

Leaving Cert 2022: Government in wait-and-see mode over hybrid option Teachers’ unions support the full return of State exams this year. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien 4:03

Officials acutely aware that giving students choice will create a different set of problems

New plan on school bullying targets online abuse and gender identity A 2019 survey of 19,000 young people by Jigsaw, a youth mental health organisation, and UCD found that 39% of those in secondary school had experienced bullying. Photograph: iStock

Experts say the shift to remote learning during Covid-19 has exacerbated cyberbullying

Our CAO points system is equitable and transparent. Why change it? The points system does not hinder anyone from pursuing their ambition because of lack of money. File photograph: The Irish Times 5:33

Opinion: Alternative options are unfair and open to abuse. Waffle and wishful thinking is not enough

Chinese becomes Leaving Cert subject: a fad or the future? Mandarin Chinese teacher Niamh McNally (centre) alongside Leaving Cert students Sanda Sanduta and Carla Quinlan at Our Lady’s Grove Secondary School in Dublin. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

As trade and cultural links grow, schools are broadening language class offerings

My daughter is very environmentally aware, are there viable careers in this area? The great thing about horticulture is that there are courses available from degree to PhD level. Photograph: iStock

Ask Brian: Horticulture graduates are in demand and employed across many areas

TCD secures exemptions from sweeping Government reforms on accountability Aerial view of Trinity College Dublin. The university has secured key exemptions from Government reforms aimed at strengthening the accountability of higher education. 2:57

University had warned last year that new Bill would undermine its autonomy

2nd Level Dedicated site for secondary school students
 
Harry McCann: “I went to Ballyfermot College of Further Education where I studied broadcast presentation skills for a year.” Photograph: Patrick Browne
Smart Choices ‘A PLC was the best decision I ever made’
 
Student Hub The essential web site for third level students
 
Leaving Cert Everything about the Leaving Cert
 

Education Features

Bryan Collins, principal ofScoil Náisiúnta Naomh Feichín, Termonfeckin, Co Louth, greets pupils arriving to school. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill A principal’s diary: ‘Things are going pretty well. We’re turning the corner’
  • Bryan Collins
  • January 20, 2022

How one school leader has coped with the challenges of Covid-hit school reopening

Planning is being advanced for the State exams in June. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill Q&A: Is it possible to deliver a hybrid Leaving Cert this year?
  • Carl O'Brien
  • January 19, 2022

Concern over impact of grade inflation if teacher-assessed marks are awarded again

Teachers’ unions support the full return of State exams this year. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien 4:03 Leaving Cert 2022: Government in wait-and-see mode over hybrid option
  • Carl O'Brien
  • January 19, 2022

Officials acutely aware that giving students choice will create a different set of problems

The points system does not hinder anyone from pursuing their ambition because of lack of money. File photograph: The Irish Times 5:33 Our CAO points system is equitable and transparent. Why change it?
  • John McAvoy
  • January 18, 2022

Opinion: Alternative options are unfair and open to abuse. Waffle and wishful thinking is not enough

Mandarin Chinese teacher Niamh McNally (centre) alongside Leaving Cert students Sanda Sanduta and Carla Quinlan at Our Lady’s Grove Secondary School in Dublin. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw Chinese becomes Leaving Cert subject: a fad or the future?
  • Carl O'Brien
  • January 18, 2022

As trade and cultural links grow, schools are broadening language class offerings

The great thing about horticulture is that there are courses available from degree to PhD level. Photograph: iStock My daughter is very environmentally aware, are there viable careers in this area?
  • Brian Mooney
  • January 18, 2022

Ask Brian: Horticulture graduates are in demand and employed across many areas

Students, school leaders and Opposition parties are now united in their opposition to pressing ahead with the exams as planned. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill What other options are there for the Leaving Cert?
  • Carl O'Brien
  • January 11, 2022

A return to last year’s ‘hybrid’ Leaving may prove impossible, but there is an alternative

Matt Melvin, principal of St Etchen’s National School in Kinegad, Co Westmeath, helping to clean a classroom. Photograph: Alan Betson 7:58 What’s ahead? 12 ways Covid will shape education in 2022
  • Carl O'Brien
  • January 11, 2022

The pandemic looks set to cast its shadow over schools and pupils for another year

We have a serious substitution crisis in schools, and yet extra-curricular and other outings are taking place. Photograph: iStock Effects of loose leadership in schools greater now due to Omicron
  • The Secret Teacher
  • January 11, 2022

The Secret Teacher: We hear about leaders being under pressure, but what do any of us do about it?

If your son has no desire to go directly from school to college, step back and let him figure out his next move. Photograph: iStock My son isn’t interested in going to college. How can we change his mind?
  • Brian Mooney
  • January 11, 2022

Ask Brian: Step back and give him space and time to figure out his own pathway

Working Abroad in Education

What is on offer for Irish teachers in New Zealand, and is it worth the move? New Zealand wants Irish teachers, but what are they offering?
  • Peter McGuire

‘Irish teachers are highly sought and are most popular with our schools and students’

Teaching in Britain: Long hours, high stress, ‘immense pressure’
Because of the difficulty of obtaining teaching practice hours here, many young teachers are going to the UK where there is a crisis in teacher recruitment. Photograph: iStock Teaching abroad: How and where to find a job
  • Teach English abroad: Earn a wage while seeing the world
  • Teaching in England: ‘If you want a life, I wouldn’t recommend it’
Go to cao.ie by January 20th to make a course application. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
CAO 2022 Step-by-step guide to applying for a college place in 2022
 
Feeder Schools Everything you need to know about the latest data
 
Open Days Planning for college? Everything you need to know about open days
 
The 2021 Irish Times, Higher Options expo will be live streamed from the RDS Dublin on October 13th and 14th. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Higher Options 2021 What to study? Check out Higher Options 2021
 
Grad Week 2021 What lies ahead for this year's graduates?
 
FREE @irishtimes subscription Are you a third-level student? Claim your free @irishtimes digital subscription here!
 

Advertising Feature

‘Digitalisation makes things simpler and changes the way you do business’ ‘Digitalisation makes things simpler and changes the way you do business’

The economic potential of Ireland’s digital economy is highlighted in Microsoft’s latest report

Harry McCann: “I went to Ballyfermot College of Further Education where I studied broadcast presentation skills for a year.” Photograph: Patrick Browne
Smart Choices 2021 Everything you need to know about apprenticeships, further education and training
 
Back to College What will college life be like in the new academic year?
 
61st Irish Times Debate Final Maynooth University and TCD speaker win Irish Times Debate final awards
 

Advertising Feature

King's Inns: Understand the complex public procurement regime in Ireland King's Inns: Understand the complex public procurement regime in Ireland

The online course provides participants with a comprehensive and practical knowledge of the public procurement regime in Ireland

Go to cao.ie by January 20th to make a course application. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
CAO 2022 Step-by-step guide to applying for a college place in 2022
 
Results/CAO helpdesk Read the questions addressed in recent days by our guidance counsellors about the calculated grades and CAO process
 
Home tuition Coronavirus: Our guide to the best teaching and learning resources online
 
Calling All Teachers Sign up for classroom teaching resources
 

Advice: Brian Mooney

The great thing about horticulture is that there are courses available from degree to PhD level. Photograph: iStock My daughter is very environmentally aware, are there viable careers in this area?
If your son has no desire to go directly from school to college, step back and let him figure out his next move. Photograph: iStock My son isn’t interested in going to college. How can we change his mind?
Sudying a subject for which you already have passion is the ultimate criteria for excelling. Photograph: iStock My son is keen on studying English but I’m worried he’ll struggle to find work
Next year’s Hpat is due to take place online, as it did in 2021. Photograph: iStock My daughter wants to study medicine. Are grinds for the Hpat worth it?
My daughter is commuting to college for two or three hours because rental costs are so high, leaving no time to take part in clubs and societies. Photograph: iStock My daughter’s third-level experience is pretty dismal. Is this normal?

Subscriber Only

Boris Johnson’s departure would be a red letter day in recent British history because it would mark the end of the revolutionary phase of Brexit. Photograph: Jessica Taylor/AFP via Getty Images MPs already turning their thoughts to life after Boris Johnson
Michel Wieviorka, a prominent leftist sociologist, has been labelled an islamo-gauchiste by his anti-woke colleagues. Photograph: Ludovic Marin/AFP/ Getty Images French intellectuals engage in a new culture war over wokeism
The Omicron variant has turned out to be milder than previous variants, and its high transmissibility means millions of infected people are boosting their immunity at little cost to their long-term health. Photograph: Getty ImagesPhotograph; Getty Images As Covid risk recedes, we will need to unwind built-up fear

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