Ireland’s small schools: Inside the battle for their future

Ireland has an unusually high number of small schools, but many face an uncertain future

Ombudsman says no justifiable reason to maintain ‘old school tie’ admissions

Schools to be allowed to reserve up to 25% of places for past pupils

Teachers warn of ‘crisis point’ staff shortages

Pupils left without qualified teachers, Oireachtas committee hears

Catholic groups concerned over reforms to primary curriculum

Proposed reforms could ‘undermine and downgrade’ religion in schools, warn groups

Fintan O’Toole: A Baptism barrier would solve our hospital crisis

The A&E crisis could easily be solved in Catholic hospitals by turning away infidels

‘Collapse’ in numbers applying for teacher-training courses

Decline comes as mounting concern felt over impact on students of unqualified tutors

Teacher shortages risk damaging education, school managers say

Analysis: Acute shortages having major impact on schools, managers and unions warn

Catholic groups warn of legal action over ‘Baptism barrier’ removal

Schools body tells the Government the plan will open the State up to a ‘multiplicity of civil suits’

School holidays ‘unlikely’ to be cut to make up for Storm Ophelia closures

Official guidance indicates tuition may be prioritised over extra-curricular activities

Department defends decision to close schools for second day

Some parents criticised move as an ‘overreaction’ on social media

School costs: the myth of ‘free’ education

New measures aimed at keeping a lid on back-to-school expenses are unlikely to ease the burden on parents

Time for education system to catch up with society

Analysis: Removal of ‘Baptism barrier’ latest step in fight for equality-based school system

Schools admission idea is policy equivalent of drive-by shooting

Opinion: Dropping religion from admission criteria will not tackle places shortage

One in five baptised child just to gain entry to school

Survey shows 71% of parents think subject about ethics and all religions should be taught

Give Me a Crash Course In . . . Catholic schools and the baptism barrier

Are parents struggling to get their unbaptised children into Ireland’s schools? Not according to primary principals

Just 1.2% of children refused school place over Baptism barrier

Survey by Catholic primary schools group shows 95% take everyone who applies

Removing the Baptism barrier is largely meaningless

State continues to kowtow to church and our children are lambs in middle

‘Baptism barrier’ reforms may hit minority faith schools

Analysis: Richard Bruton’s proposals will not effect the majority of Catholic institutions

Minister to tackle Baptism barrier in lifetime of Government

Catholic primary school body insists problem was linked to shortages of school places

Bruton plans removal of ‘baptism barrier’ in schools

Minister says issue not being put on ‘long finger’ and Dáil has appetite to deal with it

Analysis: Grip of religious bodies on schools resonant of another era

Plans to remove ‘baptism barrier’ to publicly-funded schools likely to be controversial

Catholic group criticises plan to remove religion as ‘core’ school subject

Removing RE will not turn students into ‘quantum mechanics experts’, says management body

New schools law ‘will not change Catholic first policies’

Admissions legislation will not address enrolment issues, Oireachtas committee hears

Way now clear for teacher fitness-to-practise hearings

Proposed ‘parent and student charter’ to clarify classroom rights and responsibilities

Measure of inclusion in schools wider than religion, says priest

Focus should also be on nationality, ethnicity, class and ability, says Fr Tom Deenihan

Minister urged to back growth of community national schools

Education and Training Boards planning 22 schools along community model by 2020

Catholic schools should remain ‘true to ethos’ despite challenges

Vatican official claims ‘teaching of faith’ acts as a guard against fundamentalism

Budget cuts would prove ‘catastrophic’ for primary schools

Statistics show almost a quarter of primary school children in classes of 30 or more

Principals’ group calls for CAO system for primary schools

Central enrolment would be too bureaucratic, says Catholic management association

Quinn questions amount of school time spent on religious education

Minister suggests transfer of some activities to local parishes

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