An insider's guide to education
- The decision ofMinister for Education Ruairí Quinn to appoint the education journalist John Walshe as his special adviser is winning plaudits across the sector.
Walshe, the long-serving education editor of the Irish Independent, is not just a very good journalist. He has also made a great contribution to the education debate over the past four decades.
What’s more, he knows better than most of the landmines that await Quinn as he rolls out an ambitious programme of reform over the next two years. As one wag noted: “He knows where the bodies are buried.’’
But the appointment also tells us much about the low-profile status of many academics who hold well-remunerated office in the education departments of our main universities.
With honourable exceptions – John Coolahan, Tom Collins and others – few education academics have carved out reputation as respected commentators. And few were even on the radar when the new Minister went looking for an adviser. That’s another issue. And one to which we will return.
For now this column wishes JW, as he is know around the education sector, the best of luck in his new role.
- It was backto the future when Ruairí Quinn named the advisory group for the new Forum on School Patronage last week.
No sensible person would question the experience or authority of Prof John Coolahan, Caroline Hussey, formerly of UCD, or Fionnuala Kilfeather, formerly of the National Parents’ Council.
But all three are close to, or even past, retirement age. Are there no younger academics and experts out there who can be trusted?
- Speaking of backto the future, Mary O'Rourke, the 73-year-old former education minister, has just been appointed to the board of Educate Together, the multi- denominational school group. O'Rourke has been a strong supporter of the organisation, the fastest-growing school patron in Ireland.
By contrast, Mary Hanafin, Batt O’Keeffe and Mary Coughlan during their stints in education were all slow to back second-level patronage for Educate Together or a forum on school patronage.
- Interesting to seethat the pop band Boyzone is supporting a scholarship in honour of the late Stephen Gately (pictured) at Dublin Institute of Technology. The Stephen Gately Scholarship will be open to all musicians who apply for the 100 places available at Dublin's new "school of rock" this September. It will cover the cost of a four-year BA honours degree programme in commercial modern music, run by Brighton Institute of Modern Music at DIT.
- Speaking of philanthropists, one may be needed to rescue the Ireland soccer team due to play in the World University Games in August. Astonishingly, Ireland's participation is in doubt because of the high cost of bringing our best student soccer players to China.
The total cost involved? About half the weekly pay packet of Ireland captain Robbie Keane.
- The recent launchof yet another marketing drive to boost international student numbers in Ireland was a depressing affair. The pitch was familiar: new "joined up '' thinking would help Ireland grab a chunk of the multibillion-euro market in foreign students.
Fat chance. The new marketing drive has a tiny budget of €300,000 budget, and €40,000 has already been spent developing a new logo. When is Ireland Inc going to get its act together on international education? And we will those responsible for the current lamentable state of affairs be called to account?
Got any education gossip? E-mail in confidence teacherspet@irishtimes.com
