Teacher's Pet

An insider's guide to education

Speculation is increasing that ASTI, after years in the wilderness, is about to kiss and make up with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). ASTI, which represents some 17,000 second-level teachers, walked out of Congress during talks on the last pay deal. At the time, some ASTI leaders liked to portray ICTU leaders as trade union fat cats.

How times have changed. In recent weeks, both sides have been playing footsie about a possible ASTI return to the Congress fold. Nothing official, of course, but plenty of nods and winks. To cement the process, education minister Mary Hanafin has been having cosy, fireside chats with ASTI president Susie Hall. Conveniently, the forthcoming ASTI annual conference will discuss various motions on renewed links with the ICTU. This should help smooth the path for the union's return.

No one has ever doubted the quality of academic programmes at DCU, but the college has always suffered something of an image problem among students. The Ballymun Road campus has been, unkindly, portrayed as a "craic-free" zone.

It is hoped that the opening of the new multi-million euro sports complex will help to dispel this image. It is an outstanding facility with state-of-the-art swimming pool, gym and leisure facilities. At last, somewhere for those hard-working DCU students to chill out!

Speaking of DCU, the college is also moving to raise its profile with the appointment of Shane Kenny as public affairs officer. A former anchor of RTÉ Radio's News at One, he was also Government press secretary for the Rainbow Coalition. Kenny is shrewd and very bright, precisely the qualities DCU needs as it seeks to build its reputation in a competitive third-level sector.

The forthcoming teacher conferences are likely to be something of a love-in between Mary Hanafin and the teacher unions. Remember the rumpus last year when Noel Dempsey demanded changes in the tired format? Well, there will be none of this stuff from Hanafin. She has let it be known that she is quite happy to go with the flow. Our advice to hacks: don't hold the front page!

Still very little information emerging on the race for the post as ASTI general secretary. The acting boss, John White, remains the odds-on favourite. The only other candidate to emerge is Pat Cahill, last year's ASTI president. During his term in office, he successfully managed to put the whole issue of binge drinking among young people on the political agenda.

As of now, it appears to be a two-horse race for the €100,000-a-year post.

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