Teacher's PET

An insider's guide to education

Just when you thought the ASTI feuding was over... Bad news I'm afraid. The radical group within the union - who had supposedly been seen off by the moderates - have a spring in their step again. TP has learned of a highly significant vote on nomination to the National Council on Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). In a major shock, ASTI president Catherine Fitzpatrick was trounced in the standing committee vote by PJ Sheehy, the articulate vice-president, who has been an outspoken voice on pay. The radical element are now relishing the prospect of Senator Bernadine O'Sullivan. And they are looking forward to the Easter conference, where there will be an opportunity to sling arrows at the leadership over the pay debacle. What will the rank and file make of all this? Just over 20 per cent bothered to vote in the last ASTI ballot and more than 70 per cent now want to co-operate with the benchmarking body. Who is there to bridge the chasm between Winetavern Street and the grassroots?

After the long Christmas break parents were no doubt delighted to send the little ones back to school this week. Only one problem: many school were closed this week to allow for in-service training - some only after short notice to working parents. When is this nonsense going to stop? When is the integrity of the school year going to be respected? And when are Fionnuala Kilfeather and the good people at the National Parents Council (Primary) going to renew their once vigorous campaign on these and other issues?

What will Michael Woods do about the Skilbeck report? Strangely, some people believe it is best if the universities are left to their own devices, believing that political engagement in the process of opening up the universities would only complicate matters. TP thinks there might be something in this.

Sometimes third-level courses are like buses in Dublin. You wait for ages and then suddenly three appear at once. For years a student's only option to become a pharmacist was to attend TCD. If you didn't have the points, you had to go to Britain or simply forget your dream of owning a pharmacy and making mountains of money.

But now after a public competition UCC is to set up its own pharmacy school. Trinity will continue its course. But on top of those two comes the Royal College of Surgeons with its offering. The country will soon be awash with pharmacists. But will the existing ones, who make a very fine living thank you, be happy about the competition?

Want to share some eduction gossip? You can e-mail TP at teacherspet@irish-times.ie