Education News | Primary, Secondary & Third Level | The Irish Time

Matthew McVicar (16) who won the top prize in the annual student enterprise programme awards.

Antimicrobial case to store masks wins student (16) national enterprise award

Matthew McVicar’s product is now on sale in pharmacies in Ireland and the UK

Academic on €154,000 salary with no work to do accuses president of Maynooth

Maynooth University president Prof Philip Nolan, who is also chairman of Nphet’s modelling group on Covid-19. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins

Professor says Philip Nolan acted as ‘judge, jury and executioner’

New artist residency scheme in schools set to nurture creativity

Youth conference hears that creative thinking is increasingly vital for young people and wider society. File photograph: Getty

Government programme aimed at inspiring ‘brilliant young actors, musicians and artists’

Covid-19 has widened the educational divide. We urgently need to tackle it

Jimmy Prior, co-ordinator of Southill Family Resource Centre, Limerick City. “The past year has been really tough for most of the families; the kids being off school has not helped,” he says. Photograph: Cathal Noonan

Opinion: An action-focused strategy is vital to meeting the needs of all adult learners

Covid-19: Transmission rates in schools remain low despite outbreaks doubling in one week

The number of Covid-19 outbreaks in schools rose to 61 during the May 2nd-May 8th period, up from 29 the previous week. Photograph: Alan Betson

1.7% of close contacts in schools test positive, latest weekly HSE figures show

Teen behaviour more influenced by schools than localities, study finds

Schools are more important than neighbourhoods in influencing adolescent behaviour, according to new ERSI research. Photograph: iStock

Youths attending disadvantaged schools had higher levels of truancy, antisocial behaviour

Junior Cert students ‘disengaged’ due to exam cancellation

Unless schools can make up for the disruption, the ESRI study says learning loss during the closures are expected to “ripple through students’ educational trajectories and into their later life”.

Some 70% of secondary schools reported less pupil involvement during Covid-19 closures

Children with disabilities much more likely to be bullied in school

Children with disabilities are up to three times more likely to be bullied and up six times more likely to experience violence than their peers, according to research. Photograph: iStock

Many children with additional needs targeted because they are ‘different’

‘Our children are left in limbo’: Newly built Greystones school lying idle for a year

Students from Greystones Community National School, outside the newly-built school which has been lying idle for a year, pictured with Michelle Boehm, chair of the school’s parent-teacher partnership. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Talks to resolve row over fire safety issues between department and WBS fail to reach agreement

Expanded summer ‘catch-up’ programme to support up to 81,000 vulnerable children

All students in special schools, special classes and those with complex needs in mainstream schools will be eligible to participate in the summer programme. Photograph: iStock

Ministers announce €40m supports for pupils with special needs or at risk of disadvantage

It’s time to decide on your college course choices for 2021

In-depth research into the course you wish to study, along with where you want to study it, are key to third-level success. File photograph: iStock

Should you change your choice? Review your courses now and reap the rewards later

2nd Level Dedicated site for secondary school students

Keep note of all important dates in the 2020 college application process. Photograph: iStock

CAO Calendar Key dates for CAO applications

Student Hub The essential web site for third level students

CAO Everything about choosing the right course

Education Features

Jimmy Prior, co-ordinator of Southill Family Resource Centre, Limerick City. “The past year has been really tough for most of the families; the kids being off school has not helped,” he says. Photograph: Cathal Noonan

Covid-19 has widened the educational divide. We urgently need to tackle it

Niamh O'Reilly
May 13, 2021

Opinion: An action-focused strategy is vital to meeting the needs of all adult learners

Join The Irish Times’ Facebook Live Q&A with guidance counsellor Brian Mooney on Tuesday, May 11th at 5pm. Photograph: iStock

Do you have a CAO query? Join our Facebook Live Q&A

May 11, 2021

Guidance counsellor Brian Mooney will answer all your college and Leaving Cert queries during a live Q&A on Tuesday, May 11th at 5pm

The new junior cycle has been akin to the toddler who keeps bumping into things and cannot quite get sturdy on its legs. It has gathered far more doubters than believers. Photograph: iStock

The Secret Teacher: Must we go back to State exams as we know them next year?

The Secret Teacher
May 11, 2021

We have here a real opportunity to conduct proper reform

Many parents and young people don’t realise that there are alternative entry routes into college courses which require far fewer points. Photograph: iStock

I’m worried CAO points will soar. Are there alternative options?

Brian Mooney
May 11, 2021

Ask Brian: There are often alternative routes to study popular courses which require far fewer points

Sand, stones and flowers feature in some of the outdoor creations by students at Knocknacarra National School in Galway.

Open-air classrooms: Six tips for teaching in the great outdoors

Sylvia Thompson
May 11, 2021

With Covid-19, there has never been a better time for children to learn outside

Adam Harris, chief executive of autism charity AsIAm: ‘The education system failed those in need of the greatest level of support for the better part of a 12-month period.’ Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Covid catch-up classes: ‘The chequebook must be opened to make this happen’

Larissa Nolan
May 4, 2021

Ambitious education programme vital to support pupils with special needs – AsIAm

It is great that Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris has engineered continued access to the Erasmus programme for university students in Northern Ireland. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

We shouldn’t take the independence of our universities for granted

Patrick Prendergast
May 4, 2021

Our colleges are exceptional sources of vitality for society and pillars of democracy

In some courses, up to 15 per cent of the places available in 2021 are already allocated to 2020 Leaving Cert students. Photograph: Cyril Byrne

Will CAO points rise even higher this year?

Brian Mooney
May 4, 2021

Ask Brian: 2021 may be the most competitive yet in the competition for third-level places

“It is not good enough to revert to how things were before the pandemic.” Photograph: iStock

Education after Covid: It’s time to deliver a genuinely free school system

Marcelle Stakem
April 30, 2021

Opinion: It is not good enough to revert to how things were before the pandemic

Michael and Jan Rynne with Daniel (12) and Emily (15), who have not returned to school because of their mother’s medical condition. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/ The Irish Times

‘My children haven’t returned to school. We feel completely forgotten’

Carl O'Brien
April 30, 2021

Mother says children cannot attend school due to her medical condition, but are not entitled to remote tuition

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’

CAO Change of Mind All you need to know about making the right college choice

The Irish Times’ Feeder School supplement gives a school-by-school breakdown on the number of students progressing to higher-level education and shows what third-level institution they have registered with. Photograph: Getty

Feeder Schools 2020 Record number from Deis schools progress to third level

Stephanie Thompson: ‘I could not settle in school. I was battling anxiety. At times I felt like I was drowning.’ Photograph: Tom Honan for The Irish Times

Smart Choices 2020 Everything you need to know about apprenticeships, further education and training

Advertising Feature

SEK Dublin International School: A brave new world of opportunities

SEK Dublin International School: A brave new world of opportunities

In a time of change, our schools need a new future learning model

Homeschool hub Our guide to the best teaching and learning resources online

They gym is often the first port of call for students checking out a college’s sports facilities. Photograph: iStockphoto/Getty Images

Open Days Everything you need to know about third-level virtual open days

The universities, colleges and institutions attending Higher Options 2020 will have staff on their stands who should be able to answer questions about specific courses.

Higher Options Planning for college? Explore your interests at Higher Options 2020

You can stay up-to-date with all areas of interest from news to business, from sport to lifestyle and from music and fashion: David Sleator

FREE @irishtimes subscription Are you a third-level student? Claim your free @irishtimes digital subscription here!

Results/CAO helpdesk Read the questions addressed in recent days by our guidance counsellors about the calculated grades and CAO process

Online Learning How colleges are adjusting to new models of delivery during the pandemic

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

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College Choice 2021 Everything you need to know about applying to college in 2021

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