Teacher's Pet

An insider's guide to education

That Price Waterhouse inquiry into events at Marino Institute of Education in Dublin has begun in earnest. The secretary general of the Department of Education, Brigid McManus, is keeping a watching brief on the inquiry on behalf of Minister Mary Hanafin. A full report is expected within weeks - unless things are uncovered that require further investigation.

The department is very relaxed about the inquiry. There is a widespread view in Marlborough Street that the inquiry will criticise Marino for its accounting procedures. It will probably be ticked off for failing to maintain a single account for the teacher- training college. But most believe there will be no smoking gun.

This confidence, of course, is based on accounts that Marino submitted to the Department over the course of the past year as part of a general trawl through the accounts of the smaller teacher-training colleges.

The Department also takes the view that the €5 million paid to Marino represents outstanding value for money for the taxpayer - given that about 150 students graduate from the teacher-training college every year.

Meanwhile, the woman at the centre of the storm is keeping her head down. Caoimhe Máirtín, the hugely respected former president of Coláiste Mhuire at Marino, is unlikely to say anything publicly - for now. The inquiry team are also holding fire. By late last week, she had still to be interviewed.

Talking about bad timing. . . only 24 hours after Mary Hanafin launches new inter-cultural guidelines for schools up steps Conor Lenihan and his now infamous remark about the kebabs. Goodness knows what the kids will make of it all.

The annual cat-and-mouse game between schools and Leaving Cert students was under way last week as sixth years left school.

This column knows of several Dublin schools where principals decided to close - without any advance notice - in order to avoid what one might politely call "some shenanigans".

Who can blame them given the behaviour of some sixth years on their final school day? How many teachers have had eggs splattered all over their car - or worse? But what a pity that a very important day in the life of the average 18-year-old - the day they leave school for good - is marred by the antics of a minority.

Embattled UCC boss Gerry Wrixon may have got his four-year extension, but his critics have not given up. Hacks are being deluged with information from well-placed insiders. Wrixon may have many friends in Government, in the Higher Education Authority and in the department, but it would seem he has no shortage of rivals at the Cork campus.

Why are the less academically-gifted facing discrimination in the Leaving Cert? We are talking, of course, about the scandalous situation where those taking Ordinary Level subjects are rarely given A and B grades - unlike those taking higher papers. This situation has continued for much too long and should not be tolerated. Justice for Ordinary Level!

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