Teacher's Pet

An insider's guide to education

In a surprise development, the assistant secretary of the Department of Education, Paul Kelly, is to vacate his post shortly.

The move has stunned colleagues in Marlborough Street. After his arrival from the Department of Defence some years ago, Kelly was spoken of as a future secretary general. In the event, he did not apply for the vacancy when the legendary John Dennehy retired two years ago.

His departure means that two key assistant secretary posts will shortly be vacant at Education. The other post, vacated by Tom Boland when he left to head up the Higher Education Authority (HEA), will be filled shortly.

Good spirits are in evidence at UL where CAO applications from school-leavers have shown a healthy increase this year. College president, Roger Downer is moving to consolidate by appointing a new vice-president. The question now - will it be an internal or external candidate? Our money is on Eamonn Cregan (no relation of the famous hurler) who has been an outstanding head of corporate affairs at the college.

Congratulations to INTO deputy general secretary Catherine Byrne, recently appointed to the board of the Abbey Theatre.

Byrne, who retires this summer after some 25 years work in Parnell Square, would be an addition to any large organisation.

Her appointment begs questions about the make-up of various boards. How come so few outstanding educationalists from our schools and colleges - and our teaching unions - receive this honour?

Breaking news . . . "Gentleman" Jim Dorney, veteran general secretary of the TUI is to receive an honorary degree from HETAC, the higher education training council, shortly.

We all know how grinds schools are changing the face of Irish education. But are they also changing the dynamics in the staffroom?

One principal lamented to us recently how his under- performing teachers now regularly secure strong exams results.

The reason? The kids in their classes bypass the classroom and take private grinds. Apparently, the whole business is making it (even more) difficult for principals, to manage poor performers.

Did the recent Task Force on Discipline underestimate the extent of the problem? We only ask.

The report, prepared by Dr Maeve Martin of NUI Maynooth (right) and her team, is an impressive document. But might it have been more persuasive if the task force had conducted its own detailed survey as to the extent of the problem?

As it was, the task force appeared polite and measured. No bad thing in itself, except that shocking TUI survey on discipline - published the same week - appeared to cry out for something more substantial.

Got any education gossip? E-mail us, in confidence, at teacherspet @irish-times.ie