An insider's guide to education.
More on the rise and rise of ratemyteachers.ie, that strangely compulsive website that is the talk of every schoolyard (and every staffroom) in the State.
The total number of ratings is now in excess of 200,000 - on over 25,000 teachers. The site also has its own Hall of Fame where, it says, the best teachers can be found. Hats off to Blackrock College, Mount Temple Comprehensive, Mount Sackville and St Andrew's in Dublin. And to De La Salle in Waterford.
One of the striking features of the site - and one which has made it so successful - is the relatively moderate and balanced content. Yes, there is some awful stuff in there, but 90 per cent of the comments are sensible.
A cursory glance at the site leaves you with an impression of an education system where the kids take their exams very seriously, and one where the vast majority of teachers are hugely admired. Now, what can be wrong with that?
Talking about the decline of the Irish language . . . a shocking tale reaches us of one parent who thought it would be nice to enrol Séamus in the local Gaelscoil.
But she received a frosty reception from the principal who questioned her about her competence in Irish - and was less than impressed with her Leaving Cert ordinary level pass.
But is it the business of any head teacher to question a parent in this way?
Yes, he is an Irish Times columnist, but Brian Mooney, president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, deserves an ovation or two.
Mary Hanafin's decision to create an additional 100 guidance posts came after an intensive lobby by Mooney - and a year after (the shamefully under-appreciated) Noel Dempsey also delivered a package of goodies for the sector.
This just in... from Seán Cottrell, the head of the Irish Primary Principals' Network on RTÉ's Five-Seven Live. Asked about school closures to mark the Pope's passing he said: "I mean obviously the death of a significant person such as the Pope can't be totally predicted so there's always an element of short notice about an event like this. Ideally we'd love to have more notice for parents with regard to the closure of a school."
The departure of John Dennehy as secretary general of the Department of Education and Science will be marked by a special reception later this week. Mary Hanafin will be doing the honours at what promises to be a lively gathering.
