TEACHER'S PET

An insider's guide to education: Those early morning queues outside the Loreto convent in Swords reflect the very high reputation of the school across the whole north country Dublin area.

Loreto operated a first come, first served policy for those without siblings in the school, hence the early morning queues at the gates. Sounds very fair - or is it?

Good luck to those parents who waited in line and secured a place, but this process tends to work against minority and immigrant groups who might not be as well organised as the locals.

That other policy of retaining places for siblings also sounds like a good idea. Indeed most in-demand schools operate such a system. But, some school managers worry that this approach could run counter to equality legislation. Expect this whole school enrolment issue to reach the courts, sooner rather than later.

• That was a masterful address by information commissioner Emily O'Reilly to vocational school managers last week. O'Reilly made the case for more information, including, possibly, school league tables, with great gusto.

Some credit is due here to Michael Moriarty and the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA). How refreshing it is to hear some challenging voices at an education conference.

• The forthcoming departure of Joyce O'Connor as president of the National College of Ireland, which was signalled last week, marks the end of an era.

During her 16 years in charge of the IFSC-based college, O'Connor has been a dynamic and visionary figure. She also had an enviable level of contacts across the whole education and political area. O'Connor retires on her 60th birthday next February.

• Word reaches us of some unease, if not dismay, in the Department of Education bunker in Marlborough Street about decentralisation. Apparently, some officials - who have built up great expertise in certain areas - are being moved around to facilitate the whole process. Result? The loss of expertise and experience. Shurely shome mistake?

• Cork man Frank Mulvihill is the next president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, succeeding our esteemed colleague Brian Mooney.

The election came after a full postal ballot of members in which over 50 per cent participated. ASTI please copy!

• This is the last Teacher's Pet until September as your correspondent dives into the exam and CAO season.

Many thanks to the whistleblowers who dished the dirt.