TEACHER'S PET

An insider's guide to education

It was good to see those figures on school drop-out rates creating a stir.

Yes, the report raises important issues about inequality in education, but it also raises issues about the research capacity of the department.

The report tracks students who entered second-level school in 1995-96 and dropped out after the Junior Cert three years later in 1998-89. This means that the figures are five years out of date.

Don't blame hard- pressed department officials for this; they are doing their best working with limited resources. But, as the landmark 2000 Cromien Report ponted out, Marlborough Street needs to up its research department. This society is changing rapidly - policy makers and educationalists need the most up-to-date information to know what is happening.

On another tack, the department also has very little information about the number of students enrolling in the grind schools on a full or part-time basis, even though this trend is tearing at the traditional pattern of education.

Most of the university presidents were in situ last week when the new Irish Universities' Association (IUA) was launched with fingerfood and wine in Merrion Square, Dublin. The IUA is the new name for the Conference of Heads of Irish Universities, the lobby group for the universities.

The universities have been on the back foot in recent times, as they struggle to make the case for more funding. Senior Government figures, apparently, have not been overly impressed with the lobbying efforts of some senior third-level figures.

The good news? The launch pointed the way to a much more co-ordinated - and a less hesitant - approach.

The IUA is very fortunate to have as its director, Michael McGrath, one of the most skilful lobbyists in any sector. There are hopeful signs that the universities are in better shape for the battles ahead.

It was good to see Brigid McManus (right), the secretary general of the department address the recent principals' conference in Galway. McManus received a very warm response from delegates, as she reminded them of the importance placed on the partnership model in education. There was a discernable sense among delegates that the department is improving and modernising under her leadership.

Good to see Peter McDonagh appointed to the board of Science Foundation Ireland.

A former special adviser to Micheál Martin in the Department of Education and a former government advisor, McDonagh is one of the best and the brightest. He is the man credited by Bertie with saving the Nice Treaty after it was voted down in the first referendum. McDonagh now lives in Prague, where his wife is a member of parliament.

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