Teacher's Pet

An insider's guide to education

•We may not know the identity of the next president of NUI Galway, but we can rest assured on one thing - he or she will certainly have the cúpla focal.

Candidates have until the middle of next month to apply and the university is determined to attract the best and the brightest. A search and selection process is underway, but this is one post which seems unlikely to go to go to a star performer from Britain, the US or Australia.

The reason? That stipulation - spelt out in the recent ad for the post - that the next president must be able to perform certain key tasks as Gaeilge. The university says this makes sense given the college's links with the Gaeltacht community. But critics say it limits the field of candidates at a time when the Irish university sector needs to be outward-looking.

The good news is that there should be no repetition of the embarrassing events of 2000 when Prof Jim Brown was preferred by an assessment board but the governing authority opted for Iggy Ó Muircheartaigh.

This time round both the search committee and the new selection board will be chaired by Dr Noel Dorr - also chair of the governing authority - in a non-voting capacity. So there should be no confusion.

Brown remains the clear favourite for the post. But Prof Brigid Laffan of UCD - a runner-up in the battle for the post of UL president recently - could also be a candidate.

•Good fun at the UCD Foundation dinner last Friday night where the iconic GAA commentator Michael Ó Muircheartaigh was recognised for his outstanding contribution to national life.

Ó Muircheartaigh enjoyed some good-natured banter with UCD director of sport and (still scary) Dubs legend Brian Mullins.

Others enjoying the big night included developer Seán Mulryan, businessman Dermot Desmond and former justice minister Michael McDowell.

•Speaking of scary creatures. . . This column does not normally do book reviews but, hey, when something this good comes along we need to spread the news.

Ten Scary Monsterswas prepared by students from Scoil Chiaráin special school in Glasnevin, Dublin under the guidance of principal Valerie Monaghan. The book is published by the O'Brien Press.

•With both sides digging in, that dispute between the Protestant schools and the Department over redeployment is becoming increasingly bitter.

But some Catholic teachers in Protestant schools says charges of elitism and snobbery are unfair. And they may be prepared to go public to underline this point.

This is an awkward and highly sensitive dispute for all sides. It will require very careful handling by Minister Mary Hanafin and by Pat Burke, the assistant secretary in the Department with responsibility in this area.

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