An insider's guide to education

They talk of little else in education circles - who is to succeed John Dennehy as secretary-general in Marlborough Street. The various contenders are jockeying for position before next week's decision.

It is a remarkably open race. Martin Hanevy (the only Department of Education assistant secretary to apply) and Tom Boland of the Higher Education Authority are the front-runners.

But don't bet against two formidable female candidates - Mary Doyle, an assistant secretary at the Department of the Taoiseach and Brigid McManus, an assistant secretary from the Department of Finance.

Hanevy and Boland (an ex-Department assistant sec) should be favourites. They have the insider knowledge and the experience of the Department's ways. But Doyle or McManus could benefit from the perception in some quarters that Education needs to be further modernised, whatever that means. Our advice - don't place any bets in the canteen. This race is too close to call.

The kids returned to school 17 days after Christmas Day, but guess what? Many parents had to make special arrangements on opening day because many schools closed for in-service days. When is someone going to address this issue?

Good to see the Department setting lofty ambitions for itself. Its customer charter 2004/7 makes all sorts of commitments to an improved service, including a commitment to answer 80 per cent of phone calls within 20 seconds! Now, has anyone told ntl?

All that remains now is to bid adieu to John Dennehy, one of the great figures in the public service who steps down as secretary general of the Department of Education at the end of the month.

The Kerryman will not be easy to replace. He has the kind of well-tuned political antennae that every Minister needs.

His finest hour? Arguably, his marshalling of the ASTI dispute. At the time, Michael Woods refused to engage with the union, a move which exposed its isolation.

Another highlight was the establishment of agencies such as the exams commission. This will give the Department the breathing space it needs for policy development.

As secretary, Dennehy has worked with four education ministers - Martin, Woods, Dempsey and Hanafin - and he has been hugely loyal to them all.

He presided over an education system that is recognised as one of the best in the OECD. He is someone who has left a real mark in education. And his influence will linger long after his car sweeps out of Marlborough Street.

E-mail us, in confidence, at teacherspet@irish-times.ie