A national conversation about the future of Irish education is about to start. It could be magical
It must make space for voices that are too often left out, and children and young people must be at its heart
Second Level
News and advice on the second-level education system.
Nursing and midwifery offer careers for those with aptitude, curiosity and compassion
A degree in nursing or midwifery is a foundation for lifelong learning, with job opportunities across diverse settings
New Deis Plus plan for Ireland’s most disadvantaged areas needs to be bold
If Deis Plus is watered down, it will be horrifically depressing for everyone within education
‘Points don’t define potential – work ethic and passion do’
Rickwang Tientcheu says he drifted through the Covid years of second level before building up his own app for students, Edu Éire
Variation in primary teachers’ proficiency in Irish ‘a matter of significant concern’
Department inspectorate found ‘apparent lack of confidence’ among many teachers using Irish in English-medium schools
Ireland remains locked into the anglophone world. Will we ever make the multilingual leap?
Language specialists doubt whether existing educational policies can deliver on State’s linguistic competence deficit
‘It’s a rare opportunity’: Students share advice for study abroad in Europe
From budgeting to language learning, students reflect on their experiences studying abroad
Irish-language education policy ‘ignores elephant in the room’, advocacy groups warn
Patron body says ‘little progress’ made on similar goals announced 20 years ago
Would it not be better if children could take the books home from school?
‘Reading for pleasure among teenagers is in decline, yet here is an opportunity to give every student in the country at least one free novel a year’
CAO applications: How can I help my son complete the process properly?
Any correspondence from the Central Applications Office must be dealt with promptly
Jarlath Regan: I worked my tail off to bring my son home to experience school in Ireland
It was hard to leave Ireland without resentment – without a sense of why do I have to go?
‘We are considering encouraging our son to skip transition year’
Ask Brian: This programme shakes up the traditional, formal education system and introduces students to new ways of learning
Not having a special class is not a sign of a school’s non-commitment to inclusion
You cannot impose a vision of inclusion without attending to the granular context in which schools operate
As the presidential election comes into view, it’s important young people pay attention
Politics is boring. That is, unless you care about education, climate change, healthcare, housing, jobs or many other issues.
‘After a summer of unemployment, there was a massive change in my life’
‘What I learn in college becomes real for me during my working week’ – ATI apprentice Niall McClave
UK students are abandoning languages and the arts. Let’s make sure it never happens here
When governments signal that some subjects matter less, the cultural and human cost is far greater than imagined
Boys-only Dublin private school appoints first woman principal in 190-year history
Elaine Kelly has been appointed principal of the all-boys, fee-paying Castleknock College
What to focus on at college open days
Key to moving to higher or further education is to concentrate on curriculum content, college facilities and accommodation or public transport
College open days 2025/26: Key details for NCI, NCAD, technological universities and other institutions
What to know and what to expect at open days around the country
When are university open days taking place?
Here are the key dates and what to expect at Ireland’s university open days
What questions should a prospective third-level student ask?
Going to college open days can help you figure out what might suit your student life
Returning to education: ‘I dreamed of doing more but those dreams seemed out of reach’
Demand for adult education is rising, yet resources are shrinking, says AONTAS
Number of Junior Cert top grades doubles after change to bands
More than 55,000 distinctions awarded after revision of system
Changing careers: ‘My job began to feel hollow ... I felt I’d lost myself somewhere’
If you dream about making a big change in your life, take inspiration from these five people, who each took a leap of faith mid-career that paid off
‘Apprentices are earning over €50,000’: Why more school leavers are turning to trades
Snobbery over apprenticeships is fading with the housing and cost of living crises making them more appealing
I’m a second-level teacher but want to be a guidance counsellor. Is this possible?
Postgraduate course are an option in what is a demanding career where stresses among teens are on the rise
I’m sorry if reading Shakespeare is getting in the way of your kayaking lessons
What kind of 'experience' do we expect our students of English literature to have if not reading Shakespeare?
More than one in five pupils missed over 20 days of last school year, data show
Figures still above pre-pandemic levels despite overall reduction in chronic absenteeism
Are school wellbeing programmes doing more harm than good?
Some studies suggest one-size-fits-all mindfulness and mental-health programmes may even increase difficulties among young people
‘I felt special. There were only 13 girls’: the Dublin secondary school that went co-ed
Students, parents and teachers at St Joseph’s secondary school in Fairview have embraced the shift to coeducation
Higher Options Expo can help you map your career path
Higher Options will have many people to help you decide what to pursue after the Leaving Cert
Going to third level a big step for students with additional needs, but there are supports
Practical and financial help and guidance are available for students with a disability or other additional needs
Don’t miss these speakers at Higher Options 2025
From Abigail Ruth Freeman on science and IT to Artur Banaszkiewicz on studying in Poland, there are many to choose from, so plan ahead
How to make the most of your time at Higher Options
There’s a right and a not-so-right way to approach your visit to the RDS
Why fifth and sixth year students need to know what Higher Options is
Higher Options, Ireland’s largest education expo, is back in Dublin from Wednesday to Friday, September 17th to 19th.
Your questions answered: but first, is the Higher Options event for you?
For those considering further and higher education, the expo has information that could shape the path ahead
Life after school: Next stage options from those who have chosen different paths
Whether you choose a PLC, an apprenticeship or the straight-to-college route, there’s more than one way to take the next step
The guidance counsellor: ‘I think we’re overly educated, but perhaps not skilled enough’
Remaining focused on CAO points means overlooking ‘wonderful’ alternatives such as apprenticeships and tertiary degrees
Flying the nest: advice for students (and parents) on heading to college
Heading to college is a big step, and while most of the young adults preparing to fly the nest will be excited at the prospect of independence, parents might have some concerns about what this will mean
Advice for parents, from parents, when a child heads off to college
‘Flying the nest is the natural next step ... we weren’t going to be all maudlin and upset around them’
Ten universities around Europe that offer courses through English
Irish students are entitled to study at any university in the EU under the same conditions as nationals
School secretaries and caretakers strike: Union agrees to withdraw industrial action and enter talks
Fórsa says ‘key element’ of agreement is a commitment to negotiate comparable pension entitlements to those of teachers and SNAs
Teachers should refuse to pass pickets of secretaries and caretakers
The unions have over 86,000 members between them. If they stopped working, the strike would soon end
Ireland’s largest school forced to close classes due to secretary and caretaker strike
Gorey Community School has limited attendance each day to a restricted number of year groups
‘Our absence impacts the children’: School secretaries and caretakers continue strike over work conditions
Secretary says she wants ‘dignity’ and to retire not into poverty
Chronic absenteeism from school has worsened since Covid and must be tackled
Student attendance has deteriorated since Covid, with more than 30% of students in Deis second-level schools now defined as ‘chronic absentees’
CAO helpdesk: The key questions students had after this week’s college offers
We answered a variety of questions as grade deflation kicked in for the 2025 Leaving Cert class
International students in Ireland: ‘People here are genuinely warm and open, making adapting easier’
More than a dozen international students share how they find life and study in Ireland
Why students drop out and how you can avoid it
There are many sources of support that can lessen your chance of dropping out
CAO points 2025: Which courses were up or down in requirements?
Random selection for some courses applies again, but some universities have increased places to try to meet demand
Meet Trinity College’s lifelong learner in his 70s: ‘I’ve made lots of new friends, young and old’
The early school-leaver is now pursuing a full time undergraduate degree in history
School secretaries and caretakers to begin indefinite strike after talks fail
Dispute relates to exclusion of secretaries and caretakers from public-service pension scheme
CAO offers 2025: Waiting on an offer? Here’s how to respond to it
Whether you want to accept or defer, take time to think clearly and do your research before you act
CAO offers and third level education: Key dates for next steps
The dates for third level education next steps after Leaving Cert results day
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Stardust
Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
Family NoticesOpens in new window
Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices