More news in brief
A proposal by the Department of Education to begin the Leaving Cert in May instead of June was criticised by a teachers' union yesterday as a measure which could create extra exam stress.
At a meeting of the ASTI, the secondary school teachers' union, members expressed concern at the proposal to bring forward two key Leaving Cert exam papers to May.
ASTI president Sheila Parsons said if the department's main aim was to reduce the stress experienced by Leaving Cert students then the Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin, should reorganise the exam timetable so that subjects were spread out over June.
Subjects such as English, Irish and maths, which are tested on the opening days of the State exams, were identified as exams which might be spaced out on the timetable.
Chairman of Rehab appointed
Senior counsel Colm Allen was yesterday appointed chairman of the Rehab group. Mr Allen, who has been the organisation's vice-chairman for the last 14 months, succeeds Joe Treacy as chairman.
Marino institute appoints president
The Marino Institute of Education in Dublin yesterday announced the appointment of Dr Anne O'Gara to the position of president of the teacher-training college.
Dr O'Gara is currently an inspector of schools with the Department of Education and previously worked as the assistant national co-ordinator of the home school community liaison scheme.
US urged to close Guantánamo Bay
NUI Galway's Irish Centre for Human Rights and Amnesty International have made a joint plea for the closure of the US Guantánamo Bay detention centre.
The appeal was made in a letter given to the US ambassador to Ireland, James C Kenny, by the Mayor of Galway, Niall Ó Brolchain (Green Party).
The ambassador was in Galway to address a chamber of commerce lunch.